Abstract
Carbon nanoparticles have recently drawn intense attention in biomedical applications. Hence, there is a need for further in vivo investigations of their biocompatibility and biodistribution via various exposure routes. We hypothesized that intraperitoneally injected diamond, graphite, and graphene oxide nanoparticles may have different biodistribution and exert different effects on the intact organism. Forty Wistar rats were divided into four groups: the control and treated with nanoparticles by intraperitoneal injection (4 mg of nanoparticles/kg body weight) eight times during the 4-week period. Blood was collected for evaluation of blood morphology and biochemistry parameters. Photographs of the general appearance of each rat’s interior were taken immediately after sacrifice. The organs were excised and their macroscopic structure was visualized using a stereomicroscope. The nanoparticles were retained in the body, mostly as agglomerates. The largest agglomerates (up to 10 mm in diameter) were seen in the proximity of the injection place in the stomach serous membrane, between the connective tissues of the abdominal skin, muscles, and peritoneum. Numerous smaller, spherical-shaped aggregates (diameter around 2 mm) were lodged among the mesentery. Moreover, in the connective and lipid tissue in the proximity of the liver and spleen serosa, small aggregates of graphite and graphene oxide nanoparticles were observed. However, all tested nanoparticles did not affect health and growth of rats. The nanoparticles had no toxic effects on blood parameters and growth of rats, suggesting their potential applicability as remedies or in drug delivery systems.
Highlights
Carbon nanoparticles (CNP) are a promising type of biomaterial for diagnostic and therapeutic applications due to their high biocompatibility and low toxicity [1, 2]
Accumulation of nanoparticles was noticeable in the body tissues of all CNP-treated groups (Figs. 4a–e, 5a–e, i, 6a–e, 8, and 9)
No CNP aggregates were found in the kidneys, suggesting that CNP aggregates were unable to penetrate to retroperitoneal organs through adventitia
Summary
Carbon nanoparticles (CNP) are a promising type of biomaterial for diagnostic and therapeutic applications due to their high biocompatibility and low toxicity [1, 2]. DN have attracted the greatest attention in in vivo experiments due to their physicochemical properties such as chemical stability, In vivo toxicity of GN has not been extensively investigated yet. Surface-functionalized graphene or GO with improved water dispersity and better stability in physiological environments appear to be much less toxic [17]. Their intrinsic physical properties such as the strong light absorption and fluorescence of functionalized GO and its nanocomposites have been utilized for photothermal therapy of cancer and as a contrast agent for in vitro and in vivo imaging [20, 21]
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