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than 4 months are normally referred to as acute, subacute, subchronic, and chronic
toxicity studies, respectively (Chen et al. 2008; Radziun et al. 2011; Alshatwi et al.
2012; Balasubramanyam et al. 2009; Kim et al. 2009).
Appropriate toxicological examinations of risks and benefits of nanomaterials
are still rare. Toxicological interactions of water soluble metals or their compounds
depend on the chemical properties. Physicochemical characteristics of metals and
their interactions with cells affect biological outcomes and action mechanisms.
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element. Cellular Cu homeostasis is regulated
under physiological conditions however Cu is toxic under overload conditions due
to generating the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (OH.) by Fenton reaction which
cause damage to biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids. Cu-based
nanoparticles have been shown cytotoxic and genotoxic effects compared to copper
based microsized particles. Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticle induced higher extent
of DNA damage than CuO microparticles (MP) in the comet assay. CuO nanoparticle increase chromosomal damage as determined by micronuclei formation
(Boyles et al. 2016).
5.2 Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (FeO)
Iron, cobalt and nickel nanoparticles are known as magnetic nanoparticles because
of their stability and magnetic features. There are several types of iron oxide (FeO)
nanoparticles, such as hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ), magnetite (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ), and magnetite
(Fe 3 O 4 ). FeO nanoparticles are commonly used and there are widespread application fields, especially human imaging and early recognition of disease, with the use
of specific nanoagents for molecular imaging in the context of Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI), ultrasound, optical imaging, and X-ray imaging (Indira and
Lakshmi 2010). Magnetic nanoparticle is biocompatible and biodegradable, also
can be used in drug field, such as drug delivery, gene delivery, and targeting. There
are some heath concerns on FeO nanoparticles because of their widespread application. Many toxicological studies have been carried out on FeO nanoparticles; however, it is still unclear whether they are generally safe or should be used carefully.
One of the toxic effects of FeO nanoparticles is oxidative damage caused by Reactive
Oxygen Species production due to their high surface area to volume. Oxidative
damage to the cell membrane is due to releasing of intracellular enzymes such as
lactate dehydrogenase, whereas reduced glutathione (GSH) is one of the most
important barriers against oxidative damage. FeO nanoparticles induced cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. However, little is known about the genotoxicity of IONPs
following exposure to human cells. The cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity of FeO nanoparticles in two human cell lines (skin epithelial A431 and lung
epithelial A549) are investigated. It was shown that FeO nanoparticles induced
dose-dependent cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in both types of cells, which was
demonstrated by cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase leakage assays. FeO
nanoparticles also cause the depletion of glutathione and induction of reactive
5 Nanomaterials Causing Cellular Toxicity and Genotoxicity
than 4 months are normally referred to as acute, subacute, subchronic, and chronic
toxicity studies, respectively (Chen et al. 2008; Radziun et al. 2011; Alshatwi et al.
2012; Balasubramanyam et al. 2009; Kim et al. 2009).
Appropriate toxicological examinations of risks and benefits of nanomaterials
are still rare. Toxicological interactions of water soluble metals or their compounds
depend on the chemical properties. Physicochemical characteristics of metals and
their interactions with cells affect biological outcomes and action mechanisms.
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element. Cellular Cu homeostasis is regulated
under physiological conditions however Cu is toxic under overload conditions due
to generating the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (OH.) by Fenton reaction which
cause damage to biomolecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids. Cu-based
nanoparticles have been shown cytotoxic and genotoxic effects compared to copper
based microsized particles. Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticle induced higher extent
of DNA damage than CuO microparticles (MP) in the comet assay. CuO nanoparticle increase chromosomal damage as determined by micronuclei formation
(Boyles et al. 2016).
5.2 Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (FeO)
Iron, cobalt and nickel nanoparticles are known as magnetic nanoparticles because
of their stability and magnetic features. There are several types of iron oxide (FeO)
nanoparticles, such as hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ), magnetite (γ-Fe 2 O 3 ), and magnetite
(Fe 3 O 4 ). FeO nanoparticles are commonly used and there are widespread application fields, especially human imaging and early recognition of disease, with the use
of specific nanoagents for molecular imaging in the context of Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI), ultrasound, optical imaging, and X-ray imaging (Indira and
Lakshmi 2010). Magnetic nanoparticle is biocompatible and biodegradable, also
can be used in drug field, such as drug delivery, gene delivery, and targeting. There
are some heath concerns on FeO nanoparticles because of their widespread application. Many toxicological studies have been carried out on FeO nanoparticles; however, it is still unclear whether they are generally safe or should be used carefully.
One of the toxic effects of FeO nanoparticles is oxidative damage caused by Reactive
Oxygen Species production due to their high surface area to volume. Oxidative
damage to the cell membrane is due to releasing of intracellular enzymes such as
lactate dehydrogenase, whereas reduced glutathione (GSH) is one of the most
important barriers against oxidative damage. FeO nanoparticles induced cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. However, little is known about the genotoxicity of IONPs
following exposure to human cells. The cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity of FeO nanoparticles in two human cell lines (skin epithelial A431 and lung
epithelial A549) are investigated. It was shown that FeO nanoparticles induced
dose-dependent cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in both types of cells, which was
demonstrated by cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase leakage assays. FeO
nanoparticles also cause the depletion of glutathione and induction of reactive
5 Nanomaterials Causing Cellular Toxicity and Genotoxicity