Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are used in a wide range of applications. Although inhalation of NPs is one of the most important toxicologically relevant routes, experimental studies on potential harmful effects of TiO2 NPs using a whole-body inhalation chamber model are rare. In this study, the profile of lymphocyte markers, functional immunoassays, and antioxidant defense markers were analyzed to evaluate the potential adverse effects of seven-week inhalation exposure to two different concentrations of TiO2 NPs (0.00167 and 0.1308 mg TiO2/m3) in mice. A dose-dependent effect of TiO2 NPs on innate immunity was evident in the form of stimulated phagocytic activity of monocytes in low-dose mice and suppressed secretory function of monocytes (IL-18) in high-dose animals. The effect of TiO2 NPs on adaptive immunity, manifested in the spleen by a decrease in the percentage of T-cells, a reduction in T-helper cells, and a dose-dependent decrease in lymphocyte cytokine production, may indicate immunosuppression in exposed mice. The dose-dependent increase in GSH concentration and GSH/GSSG ratio in whole blood demonstrated stimulated antioxidant defense against oxidative stress induced by TiO2 NP exposure.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are increasingly used in various industry sectors. Moreover, medical application of CuO NPs as antimicrobials also contributes to human exposure. Their toxicity, including toxicity to the immune system and blood, raises concerns, while information on their immunotoxicity is still very limited. The aim of our work was to evaluate the effects of CuO NPs (number concentration 1.40×106 particles/cm3, geometric mean diameter 20.4 nm) on immune/inflammatory response and antioxidant defense in mice exposed to 32.5 μg CuO/m3 continuously for 6 weeks. After six weeks of CuO NP inhalation, the content of copper in lungs and liver was significantly increased, while in kidneys, spleen, brain, and blood it was similar in exposed and control mice. Inhalation of CuO NPs caused a significant increase in proliferative response of T-lymphocytes after mitogenic stimulation and basal proliferative activity of splenocytes. CuO NPs significantly induced the production of IL-12p70, Th1-cytokine IFN-γ and Th2-cytokines IL-4, IL-5. Levels of TNF-α and IL-6 remained unchanged. Immune assays showed significantly suppressed phagocytic activity of granulocytes and slightly decreased respiratory burst. No significant differences in phagocytosis of monocytes were recorded. The percentage of CD3+, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, and CD3-CD19+ cell subsets in spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes did not differ between exposed and control animals. No changes in hematological parameters were found between the CuO NP exposed and control groups. The overall antioxidant protection status of the organism was expressed by evaluation of GSH and GSSG concentrations in blood samples. The experimental group exposed to CuO NPs showed a significant decrease in GSH concentration in comparison to the control group. In summary, our results indicate that sub-chronic inhalation of CuO NPs can cause undesired modulation of the immune response. Stimulation of adaptive immunity was indicated by activation of proliferation and secretion functions of lymphocytes. CuO NPs elicited pro-activation state of Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes in exposed mice. Innate immunity was affected by impaired phagocytic activity of granulocytes. Reduced glutathione was significantly decreased in mice exposed to CuO NPs.
Due to the growing number of applications of cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdO NPs), there is a concern about their potential deleterious effects. The objective of our study was to investigate the effect of CdO NPs on the immune response, renal and intestine oxidative stress, blood antioxidant defence, renal fibrotic response, bone density and mineral content. Six-week-old female ICR mice were exposed to CdO NPs for 6 weeks by inhalation (particle size: 9.82 nm, mass concentration: 31.7 μg CdO/m3, total deposited dose: 0.195 μg CdO/g body weight). CdO NPs increased percentage of thymus CD3e+CD8a+ cells and moderately enhanced splenocyte proliferation and production of cytokines and chemokines. CdO NPs elevated pro-fibrotic factors (TGF-β2, α-SMA and collagen I) in the kidney, and concentrations of AGEs in the intestine. The ratio of GSH and GSSG in blood was slightly reduced. Exposure to CdO NPs resulted in 10-fold higher Cd concentration in tibia bones. No differences were found in bone mass density, mineral content, bone area values, bone concentrations of Ca, P, Mg and Ca/P ratio. Our findings indicate stimulation of immune/inflammatory response, oxidative stress in the intestine, starting fibrotic response in kidneys and accumulation of CdO NPs in bones of mice.
- MeSH
- aplikace inhalační MeSH
- buněčná imunita účinky léků MeSH
- cytokiny metabolismus MeSH
- fibróza chemicky indukované MeSH
- kovové nanočástice aplikace a dávkování toxicita MeSH
- ledviny účinky léků patologie MeSH
- lymfatické uzliny účinky léků MeSH
- myši inbrední ICR MeSH
- oxidační stres účinky léků MeSH
- oxidy aplikace a dávkování toxicita MeSH
- slezina účinky léků MeSH
- sloučeniny kadmia aplikace a dávkování toxicita MeSH
- střeva účinky léků MeSH
- thymus účinky léků MeSH
- tibie účinky léků MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Innovative nanotechnology aims to develop particles that are small, monodisperse, smart, and do not cause unintentional side effects. Uniform magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (12 nm in size) were prepared by thermal decomposition of iron(III) oleate. To make them colloidally stable and dispersible in water and cell culture medium, they were modified with phosphonic acid- (PA) and hydroxamic acid (HA)-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) yielding PA-PEG@Fe3O4 and HA-PEG@Fe3O4 nanoparticles; conventional γ-Fe2O3 particles were prepared as a control. Advanced techniques were used to evaluate the properties and safety of the particles. Completeness of the nanoparticle coating was tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Interaction of the particles with primary human peripheral blood cells, cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, and immunotoxicity were also investigated. Amount of internalized iron in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was 72, 38, and 25 pg Fe/cell for HA-PEG@Fe3O4, γ-Fe2O3, and PA-PEG@Fe3O4, respectively. Nanoparticles were localized within the cytoplasm and in the extracellular space. No cytotoxic effect of both PEGylated nanoparticles was observed (0.12-75 μg/cm2) after 24 and 72-h incubation. Moreover, no suppressive effect was found on the proliferative activity of T-lymphocytes and T-dependent B-cell response, phagocytic activity of monocytes and granulocytes, and respiratory burst of phagocytes. Similarly, no cytotoxic effect of γ-Fe2O3 particles was observed. However, they suppressed the proliferative activity of T-lymphocytes (75 μg/cm2, 72 h) and also decreased the phagocytic activity of monocytes (15 μg/cm2, 24 h; 3-75 μg/cm2, 72 h). We thus show that newly developed particles have great potential especially in cancer diagnostics and therapy.
- MeSH
- cytokiny metabolismus MeSH
- fagocytóza účinky léků imunologie MeSH
- kultivované buňky MeSH
- kyseliny fosforité chemie MeSH
- kyseliny hydroxamové chemie MeSH
- leukocyty mononukleární účinky léků imunologie patologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- magnetické nanočástice chemie toxicita MeSH
- nanomedicína metody MeSH
- polyethylenglykoly chemie MeSH
- povrchové vlastnosti MeSH
- proliferace buněk účinky léků MeSH
- respirační vzplanutí účinky léků imunologie MeSH
- velikost částic MeSH
- viabilita buněk účinky léků imunologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Slovakia is characterised by an unusually high number of patients affected by genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) with E200K mutation at the PRNP gene. Penetrance of the mutation is incomplete (59%). Therefore, for the onset of the clinical manifestation, an influence of other endo- or exogenous factors could not be excluded. Experimental data suggest that copper and manganese levels may play an important role in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. The highest number of Slovak genetic CJD patients originates from Orava – the northern region of central Slovakia. Manganese is a dominant pollutant in Orava. The objective of this study was to clarify a possible exogenous influence of environmental Mn/Cu imbalance on the CJD clustering. Mn and Cu levels were analysed in the brain tissue of genetic CJD cases (from Orava and from control regions of Slovakia), as well as of sporadic CJD patients and controls. Analyses demonstrate i) significantly higher Mn level in focally accumulated, "clustering" genetic CJD cases in comparison to all other groups, ii) Cu status differences between compared groups were without statistical significance; decreased concentrations were found in genetic cases from extrafocal genetic CJD areas, iii) Mn/Cu ratios were increased in all CJD groups in comparison to controls. Metal ratios in clustering gCJD cases were significantly higher in comparison to sporadic cases and also to controls, but not to the extrafocal genetic CJD subgroup. These results indicate that more important than increasing Mn level in pathogenesis of CJD appears to be the role of the Mn/Cu imbalance in the CNS. The imbalance observed in the cluster of genetic CJD cases is probably a result of both: the excessive environmental Mn level and the disturbance of Mn/Cu ratios in the Orava region. Presented findings indicate an environmental Mn/Cu imbalance as a possible exogenous CJD risk co-factor which may, in coincidence with endogenous (genetic) CJD risk, contribute to the focal accumulation (cluster) of genetic CJD in Slovakia.
- MeSH
- Creutzfeldtova-Jakobova nemoc epidemiologie etiologie genetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mangan analýza škodlivé účinky MeSH
- měď analýza škodlivé účinky MeSH
- mozek - chemie MeSH
- polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
- polymorfismus genetický MeSH
- priony genetika MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- shluková analýza MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- vystavení vlivu životního prostředí škodlivé účinky MeSH
- zeměpis MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Slovenská republika MeSH
A method of Se determination in human milk by AAS using electrothermal atomization and a Zeeman background correction is described. The matrix modifier (Pd(NO3)2) concentration, sample dilution, ashing and atomization temperatures were optimised. For calculation of the results, the calibration curve method was used. Se concentrations in human milk were measured in eight Slovak localities. The mean Se level (14.27 ?g kg?1) was considerably lower compared with neighbouring countries
A simple method for methylmercury (MeHg+) determination in human venous blood is described using GCICP- MS. The blood sample preparation consists in the extraction with a mixture of 6M HCl and NaCl, pH adjustment, derivatization of mercury species using NaBPh4 with simultaneous extraction of products into hexane. The detection limits for MeHg+ were 86 ppt (as Hg) in the optimized method. The sample volume for repeated measurements was 150 l. The total Hg level in blood was determined by AAS using the amalgamation technique.
