Abstract
Background and Aims: Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) are one of the most used nanoparticles, especially as photosensitizers. Although some studies evaluate their toxicity in the liver, the information about their toxicity at the cellular and molecular levels is still controversial. In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the in vitro toxic potentials of NiO-NPs (average size 15.0 nm) in the liver (HepG2) cell line. Methods: NiO-NPs were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), the cellular uptake of NPs and the morphologic changes were evaluated by TEM and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), the cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT and neutral red uptake (NRU) tests, comet assay was used for genotoxicity, Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) apoptosis detection kit was used for apoptosis/ necrosis evaluation and Enzyme-Linked Immune Sorbent Assays (ELISA) kits were used for the potential of oxidative damage. Results: Our results showed that cellular uptake of NiO-NPs led to morphological changes in the cells, and caused cell death (IC50 was 146.7 µg/mL by MTT) mainly by apoptosis. Genotoxicity and oxidative damage were observed to be in a dosedependent manner. Conclusion: Results confirm previous data and draw attention to the toxic effects of NiO-NPs; further in vivo and in vitro studies need to be done to clarify the safety or toxicity of NiO-NPs.
Highlights
Humans are exposed to NPs through dermal absorption, ingestion, and inhalation due to their wide range of applications (Ahamed, Ali, Alhadlaq, & Akhtar, 2013; Ahmad, et al, 2013; Kim, Yu, Park, & Yang, 2010)
Oxidative damage assays Human GSH, MDA, 8-OHdG, or PC Enzyme-Linked Immune Sorbent Assays (ELISA) kits were used to evaluate the oxidative damage in the cells exposed to Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs), while the Bradford method (1976) was used to measure the protein amount in 106 cells
The previous studies showed that NPs could be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract after accidental ingestion by industry and research laboratory workers or just by drinking and eating contaminated water and food (Ahmad et al, 2013)
Summary
Humans are exposed to NPs through dermal absorption, ingestion, and inhalation due to their wide range of applications (Ahamed, Ali, Alhadlaq, & Akhtar, 2013; Ahmad, et al, 2013; Kim, Yu, Park, & Yang, 2010). The information concerning NPs’ effects on humans and the environment systems are still insufficient (Arora, Rajwade, & Paknikar, 2012; Barillet et al, 2010; Brooking, Davis, & Illum, 2001; Chen et al, 2015) Different factors, such as the properties of NPs including the particles size, shape and surface charges, the route of exposure, the exposed cells’ sensitivity and the assays used play an important role in the toxicity that will emerge and the results that will be obtained (Boverhof & David, 2010; Horev-Azaria et al, 2011; Horie et al, 2009; Napierska, Thomassen, Lison, Marten, & Hoet, 2010; Oberdorster, Oberdorster, & Oberdorster, 2005; Schrand et al, 2010).
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