SCIENTIFIC PREDICTION OF MAGNESIUM OXIDE NANOPARTICLES TOXICITY AND ASSESSMENT OF ITS HAZARD FOR HUMAN HEALTH

Abstract

Aim: To study biological effects of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on human health. Methods: Toxicity and potential hazards of magnesium oxide nanoparticles exposure was performed using mathematical models containing data on physical, chemical, molecular biological, biochemical, cytological and ecological properties with calculation of coefficients of hazard (D) and incompleteness of data evaluation (U) of magnesium nanoscale. Size and shape of the nanomaterial were defined using dynamic laser light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Surface area was determined by the Brunauer, Emmet and Taylor method. Results: Magnesium oxide nanoparticles have a size of 5-100 nm and specific surface area of 64,5 m2/g. They are insoluble in water, can have hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties and have an effective positive charge. They can generate reactive oxygen species, damage DNA, interact with protein structures, destroying cell membrane, cause mitochondrial dysfunction, morphological changes and cell death, impact on proteomic and metabolic profiles, increasing the concentration digestive enzymes, carbohydrates, amino- acid and fatty acids. Besides, the material under investigation has such long-term effects of action: allergenicity, mutagenicity and embryotoxicity. D-coefficient was 1, 872. Conclusions: Magnesium oxide nanoparticles have a high degree of potential hazard for human health. The results warrant toxicological studies and assessment of toxicological-hygienic characteristics of magnesium oxide nanoparticles at various routes of intake for development of effective measures to prevent negative effect of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on human health.