The teratogenic potential of commercially available copper oxide (CuO), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) was evaluated using the standardized FETAX test. After characterization of NP suspensions by TEM, DLS and AAS, histopathological screening and advanced confocal and energy-filtered electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the induced lesions and to track NPs in tissues. Except for nCuO, which was found to be weakly embryolethal only at the highest concentration tested, the NPs did not cause mortality at concentrations up to 500 mg/L. However, they induced significant malformation rates, and the gut was observed to be the main target organ. CuO NPs exhibited the highest teratogenic potential, although no specific terata were observed. ZnO NPs caused the most severe lesions to the intestinal barrier, allowing NPs to reach the underlying tissues. TiO2 NPs showed mild embryotoxicity, and it is possible that this substance could be associated with hidden biological effects. Ions from dissolved nCuO contributed greatly to the observed embryotoxic effects, but those from nZnO did not, suggesting that their mechanisms of action may be different.

Nano-sized CuO, TiO2 and ZnO affect Xenopus laevis development / R. Bacchetta, N. Santo, U. Fascio, E. Moschini, S. Freddi, G. Chirico, M. Camatini, P. Mantecca. - In: NANOTOXICOLOGY. - ISSN 1743-5390. - 6:4(2012 Jun), pp. 381-398. [10.3109/17435390.2011.579634]

Nano-sized CuO, TiO2 and ZnO affect Xenopus laevis development

R. Bacchetta
Primo
;
N. Santo
Secondo
;
U. Fascio;S. Freddi;
2012

Abstract

The teratogenic potential of commercially available copper oxide (CuO), titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) was evaluated using the standardized FETAX test. After characterization of NP suspensions by TEM, DLS and AAS, histopathological screening and advanced confocal and energy-filtered electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the induced lesions and to track NPs in tissues. Except for nCuO, which was found to be weakly embryolethal only at the highest concentration tested, the NPs did not cause mortality at concentrations up to 500 mg/L. However, they induced significant malformation rates, and the gut was observed to be the main target organ. CuO NPs exhibited the highest teratogenic potential, although no specific terata were observed. ZnO NPs caused the most severe lesions to the intestinal barrier, allowing NPs to reach the underlying tissues. TiO2 NPs showed mild embryotoxicity, and it is possible that this substance could be associated with hidden biological effects. Ions from dissolved nCuO contributed greatly to the observed embryotoxic effects, but those from nZnO did not, suggesting that their mechanisms of action may be different.
Nanoparticles; metal oxides; FETAX; embryotoxicity; environmental risk
Settore BIO/05 - Zoologia
Settore BIO/06 - Anatomia Comparata e Citologia
Settore BIO/07 - Ecologia
giu-2012
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Nanotoxicology 2012.pdf

accesso riservato

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 2.44 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.44 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/328532
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 14
  • Scopus 82
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 74
social impact