Abstract
Trace elements such as zinc and iron are essential for the proper function of biochemical processes, and their uptake and bioavailability are dependent on their chemical form. Supplementation of trace metals through nanostructured materials is a new field, but its application raises concerns regarding their toxicity. Here, we compared the intracellular zinc uptake of different sources of zinc: zinc sulfate, and ZnO and core-shell α-Fe2O3@ZnO nanoparticles, coated or uncoated with inulin, an edible and biocompatible polysaccharide. Using mussel haemocytes, a well-known model system to assess nanomaterial toxicity, we simultaneously assessed zinc accumulation and multiple cellular response endpoints. We found that intracellular zinc uptake was strongly enhanced by inulin coating, in comparison to the uncoated nanoparticles, while no significant effects on cell death, cell viability, mitochondrial membrane integrity, production of reactive oxygen species or lysosome abundance were observed at concentrations up to 20 ppm. Since no significant increments in toxicity were observed, the coated nanomaterials may be useful to increase in vivo zinc uptake for nutritional applications.
Highlights
Food deficiencies of trace elements such as zinc, iron, calcium and copper are a cause of concern due to the implications that these may have on human health [1,2,3]
As an initial approach to determine the compatibility in cellular systems, we investigated the effects of inulin coated and uncoated ZnO and α-Fe2O3@ZnO nanoparticles in mussel haemocytes, the primary circulating cells of the mussel’s blood that have a similar structure and function to the mammalian macrophage [18,19]
Cell viability was determined with CAM, a non-fluorescent membrane permeable dye which upon entering the cell is cleaved by intracellular esterases releasing the non-permeable and strongly fluorescent calcein
Summary
Food deficiencies of trace elements (micronutrients) such as zinc, iron, calcium and copper are a cause of concern due to the implications that these may have on human health [1,2,3]. As an initial approach to determine the compatibility in cellular systems, we investigated the effects of inulin coated and uncoated ZnO and α-Fe2O3@ZnO nanoparticles in mussel haemocytes, the primary circulating cells of the mussel’s blood (haemolymph) that have a similar structure and function to the mammalian macrophage [18,19] This model system has proven to be an inexpensive and easy to handle model system to evaluate multiple cellular endpoints in response to exposure to ENMs [19,20,21]. Using a newly developed high-content screening system, we simultaneously assessed multiple endpoints including cell death, cell viability, mitochondrial membrane integrity, production of reactive oxygen species, lysosome abundance and zinc uptake With this novel approach, we determined that no cellular responses were significantly affected, while zinc uptake was increased in nanoparticle-treated cells, for inulin coated nanoparticles. The correlation between the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles and mechanisms of intracellular zinc uptake is discussed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
