Recovery trend to co-exposure of iron oxide nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3) and glyphosate in liver tissue of the fish Poecilia reticulata.

Citrate-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have potential use in environmental remediation, with possibilities in decontaminating aquatic environments exposed to toxic substances. This study analyzed IONPs associated to Roundup Original, a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH), and pure glyphosate (GLY), through ultrastructural and histopathological biomarkers in liver tissue, from females of Poecilia reticulata exposed to: iron ions (0.3 mg/L) (IFe) and IONPs (0.3 mgFe/L) associated with GLY (0.65 mg/L) and GBH (0.65 mgGLY/L (IONP + GBH1) and 1.30 mgGLY/L (IONP + GBH2)) for a period of 7, 14 and 21 days, followed by an equal post-exposure period only in reconstituted water. For the assays, the synthetized IONPs had crystalline and rounded shape with an average diameter of 2,90 nm, hydrodynamic diameter 66,6 mV, zeta potential -55,4 and diffraction profile of maghemite (γ-Fe2O3). The data obtained by biomarkers indicated a high inflammatory response in all treatments. These same parameters, considered during the post-exposure period indicated recovery in reaction patterns of circulatory disturbances and regressive changes, resulting in average reductions of 37,53 points in IFe, 21 points in IONP + GBH1, 15 points in IONP + GBH2 and 11 points in IONP + GLY in total histopathological index of liver after 21 days post-exposure. However, although the cellular and tissue responses were significant, there was no change in the condition factor and hepatosomatic index, denoting resilience of the experimental model.

Comparative developmental toxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles and ferric chloride to zebrafish (Danio rerio) after static and semi-static exposure.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are used in several medical and environmental applications, but their mechanism of action and hazardous effects to early developmental stages of fish remain unknown. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the developmental toxicity of citrate-functionalized IONPs (γ-Fe2O3 NPs), in comparison with its dissolved counterpart, in zebrafish (Danio rerio) after static and semi-static exposure. Embryos were exposed to environmental concentrations of both iron forms (0.3, 0.6, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg L-1) during 144 h, jointly with negative control group. The interaction and distribution of both Fe forms on the external chorion and larvae surface were measured, following by multiple biomarker assessment (mortality, hatching rate, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, morphological alterations and 12 morphometrics parameters). Results showed that IONPs were mainly accumulated on the zebrafish chorion, and in the digestive system and liver of the larvae. Although the IONPs induced low embryotoxicity compared to iron ions in both exposure conditions, these nanomaterials induced sublethal effects, mainly cardiotoxic effects (reduced heartbeat, blood accumulation in the heart and pericardial edema). The semi-static exposure to both iron forms induced high embryotoxicity compared to static exposure, indicating that the nanotoxicity to early developmental stages of fish depends on the exposure system. This is the first study concerning the role of the exposure condition on the developmental toxicity of IONPs on fish species.

Molluscicidal activity of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-functionalized silver nanoparticles to Biomphalaria glabrata: Implications for control of intermediate host snail of Schistosoma mansoni.

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have been applied in several commercial products due to their antimicrobial properties, while their molluscicide properties, mode of action and toxicity to snail species remain unclear. In this study, the comparative toxicity of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-functionalized Ag NPs and their dissolved counterpart (Ag ions) was analyzed during the early developmental stages of the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata, intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. Ag NPs were synthesized and characterized by multiple techniques, and the snail embryotoxicity was analyzed in terms of mortality, hatching, developmental stages and morphological alterations, while the acute toxicity to newly-hatched snails was analyzed by mortality and behavioral impairments. Results showed that both Ag forms induced mortality, hatching delay and morphological alterations (especially hydropic abnormalities) in snail embryos in a concentration and exposure time dependent patterns. Ag NPs showed low embryotoxic effects and similar toxicity for newly-hatched snails when compared to their dissolved counterparts, indicating that the nanotoxicity was dependent of snail developmental stages. The knowledge about the Ag NP toxicity to different early development stages of B. glabrata contributes to its potential use as molluscicide and control of neglected tropical diseases, including schistosomiasis.

Feeder-free culture of human embryonic stem cell line BG01V/hOG using magnetic field-magnetic nanoparticles system.

PURPOSE: Human embryonic stem (hES) cells are useful tools for regenerative medicine. Maintaining hES cells for research and clinical purposes remains a challenge. The hES cells have typically been grown on a mouse or human cell feeder layer, but these methods harbor potential health problems for the recipient. A culture system using magnetic field and iron oxide nanoparticles were previously demonstrated to sustain mouse embryonic stem cells in vitro. Now, by using the BG01v/hOG cell line, we could assess the effect of this culture system on the stemness of an embryonic stem cell of human origin. METHODS: Using a variant hES cell line, BG01V/hOG, expressing an emerald green fluorescent protein (EmGFP), we grown these cells in the presence of serum-free medium supplemented with magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with citrate. The cells were positioned over a circular magnet (4000 Gauss) and monitored daily by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: We discovered that hES cells can proliferate when labeled with magnetic nanoparticles and in the presence of a magnetic field without losing pluripotency. CONCLUSION: These results establish an alternative method for maintaining hES cells which would minimize health concerns as well as label cells for subsequent clinical tracking.

Curcumin associated magnetite nanoparticles inhibit in vitro melanoma cell growth.

Curcumin is a natural product possessing therapeutic properties but the low water solubility of this compound limits its use. We have successfully incorporated curcumin into a bilayer of dodecanoic acid attached to magnetite nanoparticles in an effort to maximize solubility and delivery efficiency. Curcumin/magnetite nanoparticles were characterized using diffused reflectance infra-red fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Moreover curcumin associated magnetite nanoparticles inhibited in vitro melanoma cell growth. An inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 66.0 +/- 3.0 microM (48 +/- 2.2 microg-iron/mL) was observed for the curcumin/magnetite nanoparticles. Fluorescent microscopy revealed that curcumin associated magnetite nanoparticles were internalized by the melanoma cells and remained in the cytoplasm. The curcumin/magnetic nanoparticles synthesized in this study possess magnetic and water solubility properties making this a novel curcumin formulation with therapeutic potential.

In vitro biological activities of anionic gamma-Fe2O3 nanoparticles on human melanoma cells.

Three magnetic fluid (MF) samples containing gamma-Fe2O3 (maghemite) nanoparticles surface-coated with either meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), citric acid or lauric acid were prepared, characterized, and assessed for their cytotoxic potential on the human SK-MEL-37 melanoma cell line. Ultra-structural analysis was also performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) derived from the sigmoidal dose response curve was 254 microg-iron/mL (95% confidence interval 239-270 microg-iron/mL) for lauric acid-coated nanoparticles. DMSA-coated nanoparticles did not exhibit a clear trend toward toxicity (IC50 value is more than 2260 +/- 50 microg-iron/mL) and the IC50 value was about 433 +/- 14 microg-iron/mL for citric-acid coated nanoparticles. The cytotoxic response correlated with both the hydrodynamic diameter and the zeta potential suggests that the chain length of the carboxylic acid of the coating species may influence metabolic cellular process. Also the assayed nanoparticles can be considered non-cytotoxic to human melanoma cells since IC50 values are higher than plasma concentration usually observed in clinical use of contrast agents. Using TEM we verified that all assayed nanoparticles were internalized by cells through endocytic vesicles. Additionally, cells treated with lauric acid-coated nanoparticles at high concentration (588 or 840 microg-iron/mL) displayed morphological features of apoptosis (surface blebbing, intense vacuolization and chromatin condensation) or a typical DNA ladder pattern when analyzed by TEM or agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. Apoptotic events may be operative, suggesting a promising therapeutic application for the lauric acid-coated nanoparticle in the treatment of cancer cells.