Genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of titanium nitride and chromium disilicide nanoparticles as a criterion for the effect on the body

Abstract

We have studied the effect of chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles on the expression level of gene FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), which reflects the cell stress condition, including the endoplasmic reticulum stress. It was shown that treatment of mice by titanium nitride and chromium disilicide nanoparticles (20 nm; 20 mg with food every working day for 2 months) upregulated the expression of FABP4 gene in mouse liver but effect of chromium disilicide was much stronger. It was also found reduced level of free radicals production in the liver of mice, which indicating depletion of the antioxidant system. In particular, it was shown the decrease of catalase activity in 2 times upon treatment by both chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles. Present study demonstrates that chromium disilicide and titanium nitride nanoparticles affects the expression of FABP4 gene in mouse liver, which possibly reflects genotoxic activities of both types of nanoparticles, but molecular mechanisms of their action on the genome warrant further investigation.