Fe3O4@Ag nanoprobe for detection of ovarian cancer cell line using magnetic resonance imaging

Background and Aims: Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] plays an essential role in molecular imaging by delivering the contrast agent into targeted cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of magnetic nanoparticles containing iron oxide and silver [Fe3O4@Ag core-shell nanoprobe] as a contrast agent for the detection of ovarian cancer cell line ovcar-3

Materials and Methods: Co-precipitation method was used for synthesis of Fe3O4Ag nanoprobe which was then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FTIR], dynamic light scattering [DLS] and scanning electron microscope [SEM]. To evaluate the ability of this nanoprobe in detection of the ovcar-3 cell line by MRI, the cells were exposed to different [5 to 50 µg/mL] concentrations of Fe3O4@Ag nanoprobe before contrast intensity calculation by MRI

Results: SEM images revealed that Fe3O4@Ag nanoparticles are spherical, about 100 nm. FTIR showed strong absorbance picks belonging to the stretching vibration of Ag and Fe-O. It was found that contrast intensity of Fe3O4@Ag nanoprobe decreases as concentration decreases. Statistical analysis revealed significant difference in concentrations of 30, 40 and 50 µg/mL, compared to control [p<0.05]. In the presence of Ovcar-3 cells, higher concentrations [10, 20, and 30 µg/mL] of nanoparticles also significantly increased contrast intensity in comparison with control [p<0.05]

Conclusions: This novel magnetic nanoparticle can be used as an effective contrast agent for improving MRI in detection of ovarian cancer cells. The sensitivity of this contrast agent may be improved by binding to targeting molecules such as antibody and aptamer

Quantification of human chorionic gonadotropin by bovine serum albumin nanoparticles

Background and Aims: Some nanoparticles can be used in immunoassays to increase sensitivity. This study aimed to evaluate a novel nano-immunoassay based on bovine serum albumin nanoparticles [BSA NPs]

Materials and methods: At first, the nanostructure was synthesized, and then applied as a tag in the nano-immunoassay. Then the concentration of and beta;-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin [and beta;HCG] in the clinical samples was quantified by traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], and then checked by the nano-immunoassay

Results: The Pearson's correlation coefficient between ELISA and nano-immunoassay was high, i.e., 0.80. Relative sensitivity and specificity of this nano-immunoassay were reported 97.4% and 96.6%, respectively

Conclusions: BSA NPs can be applied in nano-immunoassays as a new structure, and as an example, and beta;HCG can be detected by this novel assay

peep of nanotechnology in reproductive medicine: a mini-review

Nanotechnology has opened a new field in medicine as well as in other sciences. The aim of this study was to seek the capability of nanotechnology for the treatment of various reproductive diseases. In this study, we analyzed all articles about "nanotechnology and reproductive medicine" published in 2000-2015, indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct. This study indicated that nanotechnology has been extensively used for different reproductive applications, e.g. disease detection, drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, etc. particularly in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The available evidences regarding the use of nanomaterials as experimental tools for the detection and treatment of reproductive diseases are summarized here. Nanoparticles have potential and promising applications in reproductive biology. Treatment and imaging of reproductive system-related cancers can be performed by engineered nanoparticles. Also, some non-cancerous diseases can be treated by nanotechnology, e.g. endometriosis. The benefits and concerns associated with their use in a highly delicate system of reproductive tissues and gametes have been investigated. Nano-based methods are innovative and potentially controversial approaches in the clinical settings, and give us the opportunity for better understanding of mechanisms underlying reproductive diseases

In vitro toxicity of the naked and serum-treated nanoparticles on cardiomyocytes

Background and Aims: although metal and metal oxide nanoparticles are used in different medical applications, they may have considerable toxicity on various cells, such as myocytes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of the naked and serum-treated silver nanoparticles [Ag NPs] and magnesium oxide nanoparticles [MgO NPs] on the cardiomyocytes

Materials and Methods: cardiomyocytes were separately exposed to different concentrations of the naked and serum-treated nanoparticles for 24 hours at 37degreeC. Then, MTT assay, cell metabolism assay and LDH assay were performed

Results: naked Ag NPs and MgO NPs had more toxicity than serum-treated nanoparticles. The highest cardiomyocyte toxicity was observed for naked Ag NPs, whereas the minimum toxicity was seen for the serum-treated MgO NPs

Conclusions: coating of nanoparticles with serum components leads to decrease in toxicity for cardiomyocytes, and MgO NPs have less toxicity on the myocytes than Ag NPs

inhibition of Candida albicans secreted aspartyl proteinase by triangular gold nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to synthesize triangular gold nanoparticles, and then to evaluate their capability for inhibition of Candida albicans secreted aspartyl proteinase 2 [Sap2]. To synthesize the nanoparticles, hydrogen tetrachloroaurate and hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide were incubated in presence of Sn[IV] meso-tetra[N-methyl-4-pyridyl] porphine tetratosylate chloride, and then characterized. Next, thirty clinical isolates of Candida albicans were obtained from patients suffering from vaginal candidiasis. Each Candida albicans isolate was first cultured in YCB-BSA medium, incubated for 24 h at 35°C. Then, 100 microL of triangular gold nanoparticles at three concentrations [16, 32, and 64 microg/mL] were added to Candida suspension, and incubated for 24 and 48 h at 35°C. To evaluate Sap activity, 0.1 mL of medium and 0.4 mL of 0.1 M sodium citrate buffer [pH 3.2] containing BSA 1% w/v were added, and incubated 15 minutes at 37°C. Then, the optical density of each tube was read at 280 nm. Enzyme activity was expressed as the amount [microM] of tyrosine equivalents released per min per ml of culture supernatant. This study showed that the size of the nanoparticles was 70 +/- 50 nm. Sap activity evaluation demonstrated triangular gold nanoparticles could inhibit the enzyme, and the higher incubation time and concentration led to more decrease of Sap activity. For the first time, we demonstrated triangular gold nanoparticles as a novel inhibitor of Sap enzyme which may be useful for treatment of candidiasis

Antimicrobial activity, toxicity and stability of phytol as a novel surface disinfectant

Background: Although various surface disinfectants have been introduced, most of them are toxic. The use of natural antimicrobial agent e.g. phytol, extracted from Leptadenia pyrotechnica is a new strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity, toxicity, and stability of phytol

Methods: The serial concentrations of phytol were prepared, and separately incubated with four microbial isolates. Then, its Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] was measured for each microorganism. For toxicity test, serial concentrations [62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 [micro]g/mL] of phytol were incubated with mouse skin cells, and then cell viability was calculated by MTT assay. For stability test, three common surfaces [stone, steel, and MDF] were considered. Then, 100 [micro]L of phytol was separately spread over their surface, and they have been kept at lab panel for 12, 24 and 36 hours. After incubation, two samples were obtained from each surface and inoculated on nutrient agar plates. Finally, colony count was read for each surface. T-test was used to evaluate the significant differences between groups, and P>0.05 considered as level of significant difference

Results: The MIC50 of phytol against E.coli, C.albicans, and A.niger was 62.5 [micro]g/mL, and against S.aureus was >1000 [micro]g/mL. MTT assay showed that the toxicity of phytol was dose and time dependent. The stability test demonstrated that phytol was stable on the stone, MDF, and steel surfaces until 36 hours

Conclusion: It can be concluded that phytol has high antimicrobial activity, high stability, and low toxicity. This substance must be evaluated at actual conditions

viability of mouse spermatogonial germ cells on a novel scaffold, containing human serum albumin and calcium phosphate nanoparticles

In spermatogenesis, spermatogonial cells differentiate to the haploid gametes. It has been shown that spermatogenesis can be done at in vitro condition. In vitro spermatogenesis may provide an open window to treat male infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a novel scaffold containing human serum albumin [HSA]/tri calcium phosphate nanoparticles [TCP NPs] on the mouse spermatogonial cell line [SCL]. First, TCP NPs were synthesized by reaction of calcium nitrate and diammonium phosphate at pH 13. Then, serial concentrations of TCP NPs were separately added to 500 mg/mL HSA, and incubated in the 100[degree]C water for 30 min. In the next step, each scaffold was cut [2x2mm], placed into sterile well of microplate, and then incubated for 1, 2, and 3 days at 37[degree]C with mouse SCL. After incubation, the cytotoxicity of the scaffolds was evaluated by different tests including 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay, lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] assay, vital staining, and cell counting. On the other hand, the release of TCP NPs and HSA from the scaffolds was measured. Based on microscopic observation, the size of cavities for all scaffolds was near 200-500 micro m, and the size of TCP NPs was near 50-100 nm. All toxicity tests showed that the increase of TCP concentration in the scaffold did not affect mouse SCL. It means that the percentage of cell viability, LDH release, vital cells, and cell quantity was 85%, 105%, 90%, and 110%, respectively. But, the increase of incubation time led to increase of LDH release [up to 115%] and cell count [up to 115%]. Also, little decrease of cell viability and vital cells was seen when incubation time was increased. Here, no release of TCP NPs and HSA was seen after increase of TCP concentration and incubation time. It can be concluded that the increase of TCP concentration in HSA/TCP NPs scaffold does not lead to cytotoxicity. On the other hand, the increase of incubation time leads to increase of mouse SCL cell death. In this study, it was found that TCP NPs and HSA could not release from the scaffolds. In future, both proliferation and differentiation of mouse SCL on HSA/TCP NPs scaffold must be checked over more wide incubation times

cellular uptake of antisense oligonucleotid of E6 mRNA into cervical cancer cells by DOPE-modified hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

Although several chemical and physical methods for gene delivery have been introduced, their cytotoxicity, non-specific immune responses and the lack of biodegradability remain the main issues. In this study, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles [NPs] and 1, 2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine [DOPE]-modified hydroxyapatite NPs was coated with antisense oligonucleotide of E6 mRNA, and their uptakes into the cervical cancer cell line were evaluated. Calcium nitrate and diammonium phosphate were used for the synthesis of the hydroxyapatite nanoparticle. Thus, they were coated with polyethylene glycol [PEG], DOPE and antisense oligonucleotide of E6 mRNA using a cross-linker. Then, hydroxyapatite NPs and DOPE-modified hydroxyapatite NPs were incubated 48 hours with cervical cancer cells and their uptakes were evaluated by fluorescent microscopy. The hydroxyapatite NPs had different shapes and some agglomeration with average size of 100 nm. The results showed DOPE-modified hydroxyapatite NPs had higher uptake than hydroxyapatite NPs [P<0.05]. Hydroxyapatite NPs conjugated with DOPE are a good choice for gene delivery and silencing of viral genes in cervical cancer cells, but their efficacy should be addressed more in future studies

Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on viability of human spermatozoa

The extensive use of different nanoparticles has raised great concerns about their occupational and biological safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles [ZnO NPs] on viability of spermatozoa. Semen samples were obtained from 15 healthy persons, and were analyzed using WHO guidelines. Each semen sample was separately incubated with different concentrations of ZnO NPs [10, 100, 500, and 1000 micro g/mL] at 37°C for 45, 90, and 180 minutes. Then, the cell death percentage of spermatozoa was measured by MTT assay. Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison of different times and concentrations. The maximum cell death percentage was 20.8%, 21.2%, and 33.2% after 45, 90, and 180 minutes, respectively. In case of concentration, the highest concentration [1000 micro g/mL] of ZnO NPs led to the highest toxicity for all incubation times. Statistically, there were significant differences in cell viability after 180 minutes vs.45 and 90 minutes. This study indicated that cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs is dose and time dependent