Titanium dioxide nanoparticles: some aspects of toxicity/focus on the development.

Nanosized titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles belong to the most widely manufactured nanoparticles (NPs) on a global scale because of their photocatalytic properties and the related surface effects. TiO2 NPs are in the top five NPs used in consumer products. Ultrafine TiO2 is widely used in the number of applications, including white pigment in paint, ceramics, food additive, food packaging material, sunscreens, cosmetic creams, and, component of surgical implants. Data evidencing rapid distribution, slow or ineffective elimination, and potential long-time tissue accumulation are especially important for the human risk assessment of ultrafine TiO2 and represent new challenges to more responsibly investigate potential adverse effects by the action of TiO2 NPs considering their ubiquitous exposure in various doses. Transport of ultrafine TiO2 particles in systemic circulation and further transition through barriers, especially the placental and blood-brain ones, are well documented. Therefore, from the developmental point of view, there is a raising concern in the exposure to TiO2 NPs during critical windows, in the pregnancy or the lactation period, and the fact that human mothers, women and men in fertile age and last but not least children may be exposed to high cumulative doses. In this review, toxicokinetics and particularly toxicity of TiO2 NPs in relation to the developing processes, oriented mainly on the development of the central nervous system, are discussed Keywords: nanoparticles, nanotoxicity, nanomaterials, titanium dioxide, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, blood brain barrier, placental barrier.

Polymeric nanoparticles - targeted drug delivery systems for treatment of CNS disorders and their possible endocrine disrupting activities.

Drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) represents one of the most priority challenges in research and development of pharmaceutical nanotechnology products. Among the various non-invasive approaches for CNS delivery, nanoparticle carriers and particularly polymeric nanoparticles (PNs) seem to be one of the most interesting. This review deals with PNs as CNS drug delivery systems and their potential endocrine disrupting properties. Possible interference with the development of neuroendocrine-reproductive system is considered. Special regard is being paid to potential mechanisms of PNs toxicity. Necessity to investigate the toxicity of nanomaterials and their impact on human health are discussed.