Abstract
BackgroundCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) have found wide success in circuitry, photovoltaics, and other applications. In contrast, several hurdles exist in using CNTs towards applications in drug delivery. Raw, non-modified CNTs are widely known for their toxicity. As such, many have attempted to reduce CNT toxicity for intravenous drug delivery purposes by post-process surface modification. Alternatively, a novel sphere-like carbon nanocapsule (CNC) developed by the arc-discharge method holds similar electric and thermal conductivities, as well as high strength. This study investigated the systemic toxicity and biocompatibility of different non-surface modified carbon nanomaterials in mice, including multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), carbon nanocapsules (CNCs), and C60 fullerene (C60). The retention of the nanomaterials and systemic effects after intravenous injections were studied.Methodology and Principal FindingsMWCNTs, SWCNTs, CNCs, and C60 were injected intravenously into FVB mice and then sacrificed for tissue section examination. Inflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated with ELISA. Mice receiving injection of MWCNTs or SWCNTs at 50 µg/g b.w. died while C60 injected group survived at a 50% rate. Surprisingly, mortality rate of mice injected with CNCs was only at 10%. Tissue sections revealed that most carbon nanomaterials retained in the lung. Furthermore, serum and lung-tissue cytokine levels did not reveal any inflammatory response compared to those in mice receiving normal saline injection.ConclusionCarbon nanocapsules are more biocompatible than other carbon nanomaterials and are more suitable for intravenous drug delivery. These results indicate potential biomedical use of non-surface modified carbon allotrope. Additionally, functionalization of the carbon nanocapsules could further enhance dispersion and biocompatibility for intravenous injection.
Highlights
The superior electrical and thermal conductivities, optical properties, and mechanical strength of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and C60 fullerene (C60) make these nanomaterials ideal for use in structural supports, circuits, biosensors, batteries and solar cells [1,2]
Carbon nanocapsules are more biocompatible than other carbon nanomaterials and are more suitable for intravenous drug delivery
Previous studies have demonstrated the in vivo toxicity and poor biocompatibility of multi-walled Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (MWCNTs), single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) [9,10] and C60 11 following inhalation 12, intratracheal instillation 13 or intraperitoneal injection [15,16,17,18]
Summary
The superior electrical and thermal conductivities, optical properties, and mechanical strength of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and C60 fullerene (C60) make these nanomaterials ideal for use in structural supports, circuits, biosensors, batteries and solar cells [1,2]. Different forms of fullerene have been envisioned as components of potential therapeutic devices in which they might act as tissue scaffolds 3, implants [4], biological microelectromechanical systems, biosensors, medical contrast agents, and drug delivery carriers [5,6,7,8]. Many have attempted to reduce CNT toxicity for intravenous drug delivery purposes by post-process surface modification. This study investigated the systemic toxicity and biocompatibility of different non-surface modified carbon nanomaterials in mice, including multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), carbon nanocapsules (CNCs), and C60 fullerene (C60). The retention of the nanomaterials and systemic effects after intravenous injections were studied
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