Abstract
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been widely used in many fields and were reported to cause reversible testis damage in mice at high-dose. However the reproductive effects of low dose MWCNTs remained elusive. Herein, we used the mice spermatocyte cell line (GC-2spd) to assess the reproductive effects of MWCNTs. Size distribution, zeta potential, and intensity of MWCNTs were characterized. A maximal concentration of 0.5 μg/mL MWCNTs was found to be nonlethal to GC-2spd. At this dose, cell cycles and the ROS levels were in normal status. We also found MWCNTs accumulated in mitochondria, which caused potential mitochondrial DNA damage in spermatocyte. Furthermore, the expression level of mitochondria-related genes, the oxygen consumption rate, and cellular ATP content were declined compared to controls, even at the nonlethal dose. Our results suggested for the first time that, in germ cells, mitochondrion was a cellular organelle that accumulated MWCNTs.
Highlights
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon with large length-to-diameter ratio
The size of multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) appearing like approximate tubulose was demonstrated by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (Figure 1B), which was consist with the specification sheet
No remarkable cytotoxicity was observed in GC-2spd cells treated with 0.5 μg/mL of MWCNTs for 24 h (Figure 2A, 2B, Figure S1), suggesting that concentration was a relatively safe dose, which was double confirmed by the following data: compared with control, the key markers of cell cycle and cell apoptosis were determined by western blotting (Figure 2C), and neither impair cell cycle (Figure 2D) nor cell apoptosis (Figure 2E) were changed in the cells treated with 0.5 μg/mL of MWCNTs
Summary
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are allotropes of carbon with large length-to-diameter ratio. MWCNTs were considered safe for use [4], the potential toxicity has been reported in several recent studies [57], mainly on the genotoxicity and carcinogenicity [810]. A recent study evaluating the safety of MWCNTs for health risk with in vivo dose (i.t. administration, 1 mg/kg b.w., in rats) and in vitro dose (exceedingly low concentration of 1 μg/mL, in human A549 pneumocytes) still showed potential pulmonary toxic effects [14]. Compared with all those doses used, 1 μg/mL MWCNT was the lowest concentration in all the studies ever reported
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
