Study of the Effects of Gold and Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Normal and Cancer Cells and Tissues

Abstract

The object of the study was to investigate the impact of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) on male rat reproductive system, and human normal and malignant prostate using xenografts and cell culture models, as well as the effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2NP) on the testes and fertility in aging male rats. Presence of polydispersed colloidal solution of AuNP (10-50 nm) in the LNCaP culture medium at a final concentration of 10 \(\mu\)g/ml inhibited cell growth, while the monodispersed solution of AuNP (20 nm) had no effect. The polydispersed colloidal AuNP solution arrested the growth of human PCa xenografts in mice, when administered parenterally at a dose range of 0.64-6.4 \(\mu\)g/kg b.w. The selectivity of the the nanopreparations effect on the prostate malignant epithelium is confirmed by its destruction and a decrease in the epithelial-stromal ratio on histological preparations of the xenografts. There was no significant damaging effect of poly- and monodispersed AuNP solutions on the testes and accessory sexual glands of rats when administered for up to two weeks. The stimulating effect of administered orally a low dose of CeO2NP (1 mg/kg b.w.) on testosterone secretion and spermatogenesis, proliferative and secretory processes in the prostate of aging male rats was found. However, fertility of animals reduced in comparison with the control group due to immaturity of a part of the spermatozoa. The mechanisms of the stimulating or damaging effects of metal nanoparticles and their salts on normal and malignant tissues require further research in order to evaluate their therapeutic potential and toxicity.