Abstract
Small few-layer graphene (sFLG), a novel small-sized graphene-related material (GRM), can be considered as an intermediate degradation product of graphene. GRMs have a promising present and future in the field of biomedicine. However, safety issues must be carefully addressed to facilitate their implementation. In the work described here, the effect of sub-lethal doses of sFLG on the biology of human HaCaT keratinocytes was examined. A one-week treatment of HaCaTs with sub-lethal doses of sFLG resulted in metabolome remodeling, dampening of the mitochondrial function and a shift in the redox state to pro-oxidant conditions. sFLG raises reactive oxygen species and calcium from 24 h to one week after the treatment and this involves the activation of NADPH oxidase 1. Likewise, sFLG seems to induce a shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis and promotes the use of glutamine as an alternative source of energy. When sub-toxic sFLG exposure was sustained for 30 days, an increase in cell proliferation and mitochondrial damage were observed. Further research is required to unveil the safety of GRMs and degradation-derived products before their use in the workplace and in practical applications.
Highlights
Small few-layer graphene, a novel small-sized graphene-related material (GRM), can be considered as an intermediate degradation product of graphene
We previously demonstrated that few layer graphene (FLG) and graphene oxide (GO) are toxic to human HaCaT skin cells cultured in vitro[23]
This fact, along with the low oxygen content, means that this material can be considered as a sub-product of a GRM degradative process. Small few-layer graphene (sFLG) is produced by a green preparation approach using glucose as the exfoliating agent[24]
Summary
Small few-layer graphene (sFLG), a novel small-sized graphene-related material (GRM), can be considered as an intermediate degradation product of graphene. We report the effect of small FLG (sFLG), a GRM similar to FLG but with graphene flakes smaller than 100 nm and a lateral size distribution with a major component of around 40 nm. This fact, along with the low oxygen content, means that this material can be considered as a sub-product of a GRM degradative process. Our results indicate that sFLG clearly differs from FLG in its effects related to toxicity This smaller material does not have any toxicity at concentrations where FLG does, with its effects not being translated into any Scientific Reports | (2020) 10:18407
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