Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOn) are widely used as a contrast agent for cell labeling. Macrophages are the first line of defense of organisms in contact with nanoparticles after their administration. In this study we investigated the effect of silica-coated nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3-SiO2) with or without modification by an ascorbic acid (γ-Fe2O3-SiO2-ASA), which is meant to act as an antioxidative agent on rat peritoneal macrophages. Both types of nanoparticles were phagocytosed by macrophages in large amounts as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and Prusian blue staining, however they did not substantially affect the viability of exposed cells in monitored intervals. We further explored cytotoxic effects related to oxidative stress, which is frequently documented in cells exposed to nanoparticles. Our analysis of double strand breaks (DSBs) marker γH2AX showed an increased number of DSBs in cells treated with nanoparticles. Nanoparticle exposure further revealed only slight changes in the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress response. Lipid peroxidation, another marker of oxidative stress, was not significantly affirmed after nanoparticle exposure. Our data indicate that the effect of both types of nanoparticles on cell viability, or biomolecules such as DNA or lipids, was similar; however the presence of ascorbic acid, either bound to the nanoparticles or added to the cultivation medium, worsened the negative effect of nanoparticles in various tests performed. The attachment of ascorbic acid on the surface of nanoparticles did not have a protective effect against induced cytotoxicity, as expected.

Department of Biomaterials and Biophysical Methods Institute of Experimental Medicine Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic

Department of Genetic Toxicology and Nanotoxicology Institute of Experimental Medicine Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic

Department of Neuroregeneration Institute of Experimental Medicine Czech Academy of Sciences Vídeňská 1083 142 20 Prague 4 Czech Republic

Department of Neuroregeneration Institute of Experimental Medicine Czech Academy of Sciences Vídeňská 1083 142 20 Prague 4 Czech Republic Department of Neuroscience 2nd Faculty of Medicine Charles University Prague Czech Republic

Department of Polymer Particles Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic

MR Unit Radiodiagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine Prague Czech Republic

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