Effects Of Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles Research Articles

Foliar-applied nano-cerium dioxide differentially affect morpho-physiological traits and essential oil profile of Salvia mirzayanii Rech. f. & Esfand under drought stress and post-stress recovery conditions

Drought stress is known to diminish the growth and yield of plants by altering the physiological, biochemical and molecular processes, thus threatening food security worldwide. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as an effective strategy to raise plant productivity under current rapid environmental challenges. However, there is little literature on mechanisms underlying the beneficial role of re-watering in drought-stressed plants treated with NPs. In this study, the effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles [(CeO2 NPs), 0 (control), 125, 250, 500, and 1000 mL L−1] were investigated on morpho-physiological and phytochemical traits of Salvia mirzayanii plants under different drought stress intensities [(25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (control) of field capacity (FC) moisture] and post-stress re-watering (recovery) in a three-way factorial arrangement based on randomized complete block design. Uptake and accumulation of CeO2 NPs in the leaf tissue of plant samples were confirmed using SEM and EDX techniques. The results of ANOVA demonstrated that growth and physio-phytochemical traits were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by individual treatment and/or their double and triple interactions. Exposure to various levels of CeO2 NPs during drought stress mitigated the adverse effects of stress on growth parameters (e.g., plant height, shoot and root dry weights, and root length) and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b) content compared to the respective controls in varying degrees. However, proline and essential oil content were increased in drought-stressed plants, and tended to decrease during the period of recovery. Before re-watering, the antioxidant enzymes, CAT, POD, and SOD, activity in leaf tissues was increased with the increase of drought stress intensity upon both treated and non-treated CeO2 NPs conditions. However, the three-way interaction results demonstrated that recovery after drought stress following CeO2 NPs application particularly 1000 mL L−1 decreased the activity of antioxidant enzymes compared to the controls. Based on GC and GC-MS analysis, all essential oil samples predominantly composed of oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes including Decane, Spathulenol, Octane, α-Terpinyl acetate, Hexyl isovalerate, Dodecane, Butanoic acid, Linalool, δ-Cadinene, Muurolol, α-Cadinol, Eudesm-7(11)-en-4-ol, which significantly (p < 0.05) changed under different experimental treatments. The recovery after stress, however, increased only the content of δ-Cadinene in plants from severe drought stress upon foliar application of 1000 mL L−1 CeO2 NPs compared to the non-recovery period. Conclusively, integrative use of CeO2 NPs and re-watering after drought stress could be an encouraging and eco-friendly strategy to improve both drought tolerance, growth and pyhtochemical contents in S. mirzayanii plants.

Decidual derived exosomal miR-99a-5p targets Ppp2r5a to inhibit trophoblast invasion in response to CeO2NPs exposure

BackgroundThe biological effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs), a novel material in the biomedical field, have attracted widespread attention. Our previous study confirmed that exposure to CeO2NPs during pregnancy led to abnormal trophoblast invasion during early placental development, thereby impairing placental development. The potential mechanisms may be related to low-quality decidualization triggered by CeO2NPs exposure, such as an imbalance in trophoblast invasion regulators secreted by decidual cells. However, the intermediate link mediating the “dialogue” between decidual cells and trophoblasts during this process remains unclear. As an important connection between cells, exosomes participate in the “dialogue” between endometrial cells and trophoblasts. Exosomes transfer bioactive microRNA into target cells, which can target and regulate the level of mRNA in target cells.ResultsHere, we constructed a mice primary uterine stromal cell-induced decidualization model in vitro, and detected the effect of CeO2NPs exposure on the expression of decidual-derived exosomal miRNAs by high-throughput sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify target genes of the screened key miRNAs in regulating trophoblast invasion. Finally, the role of the screened miRNAs and their target genes in regulating trophoblast (HTR-8/SVneo cells) invasion was confirmed. The results showed that CeO2NPs exposure inhibited trophoblast invasion by promoting miR-99a-5p expression in decidual-derived exosomes, and Ppp2r5a is a potential target gene for miR-99a-5p to inhibit trophoblast invasion.ConclusionsThis study revealed the molecular mechanism by which CeO2NPs exposure inhibits trophoblast invasion from the perspective of decidual derived exosomal miRNAs. These results will provide an experimental basis for screening potential therapeutic targets for the negative biological effects of CeO2NPs exposure and new ideas for studying the mechanism of damage to trophoblast cells at the decidual-foetal interface by harmful environmental or occupational factors.

The effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on the viability of hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer's disease modeling.

The possibilities of using nanoparticle materials based on cerium dioxide (CNPs) are exciting since they are low toxic and have specific redox, antiradical properties. It can be supposed that CNPs' biomedical use is also relevant in neurodegenerative diseases, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is known as the pathologies leading to progressive dementia in the elderly. The factor that provokes nerve cell death and cognitive impairment in AD is the pathological accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in the brain tissue. In our studies, we examined the impact of Aβ 1-42 on neuronal death and evaluated the potential neuroprotective properties of CNPs during AD modeling in cell culture. Our findings show that, under AD modeling conditions, the number of necrotic neurons increased from 9.4% in the control to 42.7% when Aβ 1-42 was used. In contrast, CNPs alone showed low toxicity, with no significant increase in the number of necrotic cells compared to control conditions. We further explored the potential of CNPs as a neuroprotective agent against Aβ-induced neuronal death. We found that introducing CNPs 24 h after Aβ 1-42 incubation or prophylactically incubating hippocampal cells with CNPs 24 h before amyloid administration significantly reduced the percentage of necrotic cells to 17.8 and 13.3%, respectively. Our results suggest that CNPs in the cultural media can significantly reduce the number of dead hippocampal neurons in the presence of Aβ, highlighting their neuroprotective properties. These findings suggest that CNPs may hold promise for developing new treatments for AD based on their neuroprotective properties.

Effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on metabolic processes in the body of broiler chickens

The scope of application of cerium dioxide and its special physical and chemical properties are considered in the work. The effect of the size factor on the properties of nanodispersed cerium dioxide determines the biological activity of the material, low toxicity and high oxygen non-stoichiometry. Specific properties of CeO2 include the ability to regenerate oxygen non-stoichiometry, which is expressed in the ability of cerium dioxide nanoparticles to return to their initial state after participating in the redox process in a relatively short period of time, which enables their repeated use. Nanoparticles, due to their small size, easily penetrate into the body through the respiratory, digestive, and skin organs and exhibit more pronounced biological activity due to the large surface area per unit mass. The change in the physical and chemical mechanisms of action of nanoparticles is due to the fact that most of the atoms are on the surface. Such an arrangement changes the physical, chemical, biological, toxicological properties of the substance and facilitates the interaction of nanoparticles with a living organism. Once inside a biological system, nanoparticles come into contact with a number of physical and chemical features of the organism, which affect their properties and can change the response. These features are largely due to the ability to pass through the redox cycle between two natural oxidation states (Ce3+ and Ce4+). The influence of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on metabolic processes in the body of broiler chickens has been established. Their introduction contributed to an increase in the content of total lipids in the blood by 24.6–31.3 %, albumins – by 16–22 %, and a decrease in the content of uric acid to the level of 63–67 % of the control. Non-toxicity of poultry meat treated with nano-cerium for consumers was established. The high degree of biocompatibility, low toxicity and catalytic activity of nanodispersed cerium dioxide make it possible to consider it as a promising nanobiomaterial for use in biology, medicine and agriculture. Key words: nanobiotechnologies, nanoparticles, ceriumdioxide, layinghens, lipids.

Cerium dioxide nanoparticles modulate antioxidant defences and change vascular response in the human saphenous vein.

Nanoparticles have a promising future in biomedical applications and knowing whether they affect ex vivo vascular reactivity is a necessary step before their use in patients. In this study, we have evaluated the vascular effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) on the human saphenous vein in response to relaxing and contractile agonists. In addition, we have measured the protein expression of key enzymes related to vascular homeostasis and oxidative stress. We found that CeO2NPs increased expression of both SOD isoforms, and the consequent reduction of superoxide anion would enhance the bioavailability of NO explaining the increased vascular sensitivity to sodium nitroprusside in the presence of CeO2NPs. The NOX4 reduction induced by CeO2NPs may lead to lower H2O2 synthesis associated with vasodilation through potassium channels explaining the lower vasodilation to bradykinin. In addition, we showed for the first time, that CeO2NPs increase the expression of ACE2 in human saphenous vein, and it may be the cause of the reduced contraction to angiotensin II. Moreover, we ruled out that CeO2NPs have effect on the protein expression of eNOS, sGC, BKca channels and angiotensin II receptors or modify the vascular response to noradrenaline, endothelin-1 and TXA2 analogue. In conclusion, CeO2NPs show antioxidant properties, and together with their vascular effect, they could be postulated as adjuvants for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Divergent responses of earthworms (Eisenia fetida) in sandy loam and clay soils to cerium dioxide nanoparticles.

The reported biological effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (nCeO2) in soils range from toxic to protective. However, divergences of nCeO2 toxicity in soils of different textures are not known. In this study, the availability of nCeO2 on earthworms (Eisenia fetida) in sandy loam soils and clay soils was discussed, and the biological effects of nCeO2 (0-1000 mg/kg) on earthworms in two soils were investigated. The results showed the bioaccumulation and biological effects of Ce on earthworms in the two soils were inconsistent. The European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction revealed that the major portions of Ce in both soils were in the residual form (98-99%), and the acid-soluble Ce fraction was greater in clay soils. However, nCeO2 was more toxic to earthworms in sandy loam soils than that in clay soils as assessed by earthworm biomass, morphology, and antioxidative damage. Thus, the high ecological risk of nCeO2 in sandy loam soils with higher pH and lower clay contents needs to be avoided, being used in agriculture to improve both crop yield and quality.

Chronic effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on biological nitrogen removal and nitrous oxide emission: Insight into impact mechanism and performance recovery potential

The influence of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) on biological nitrogen removal and associated nitrous oxide (N2O) emission has seldom been addressed yet. Herein, the chronic effect of CeO2 NPs on the nitrogen transformation processes during wastewater treatment and the impacted system's self-recovery potential after CeO2 NP stress removal were investigated. CeO2 NP of 10–50 mg/L induced significant declines of the ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and the total nitrogen removal efficiencies, but triggered the nitrite accumulation and the N2O emission. The N2O reductase (NOS) activity was negatively correlated with the N2O emission level, and the inhibition of NOS activity under CeO2 NP stress was probably due to the depressions of the sludge denitrifiers' metabolic activities. The NH4+-N removal efficiency was successfully regained after the recovery period although the N2O emission level was still higher than the pre-exposure period, which was probably due to the residual CeO2 NPs inside the activated sludge.

Morphological and immunohistochemical effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on reparative osteogenesis of the jaw bones

Morphological and immunohistochemical effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on reparative osteogenesis of the jaw bones

Antiviral Effect of Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles on the Model of the Causative Agent of Bovine Viral Diarrhea

Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2) have a wide range of biological properties, including antiviral activity. Preparations based on cerium oxide nanoparticles can be effective against animal RNA viruses, which have the greatest epizootic significance for Ukraine and potentially against human viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. In our studies, we determined the effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), a pestivirus that is the etiological agent of bovine viral diarrhea. To determine the antiviral efficacy of CeO2, a cytopathogenic strain of BVDV “BK-1” was used as an etiological agent of bovine viral diarrhea, which induces a cytopathic effect on cow embryo lungs (CEL) cell culture. When evaluating the antiviral efficacy of CeO2, it was determined that the MPC for CEL cell culture is 0.057 μg/cm3, and the CC50 is 0.077 μg/cm3. The antiviral activity of CeO2 was evaluated by the IC50 index, which was 0.036 μg/cm3 and the selectivity index, which after co-administration of CeO2 with BVDV was 2.14. There was a decrease in the titer of infectious activity of the virus during treatment with CeO2 by 2.09 lg TCD50/cm3.

Combinatory Effects of Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles and Acetaminophen on the Liver-A Case Study of Low-Dose Interactions in Human HuH-7 Cells.

The interactions between pharmaceuticals and nanomaterials and its potentially resulting toxicological effects in living systems are only insufficiently investigated. In this study, two model compounds, acetaminophen, a pharmaceutical, and cerium dioxide, a manufactured nanomaterial, were investigated in combination and individually. Upon inhalation, cerium dioxide nanomaterials were shown to systemically translocate into other organs, such as the liver. Therefore we picked the human liver cell line HuH-7 cells as an in vitro system to investigate liver toxicity. Possible synergistic or antagonistic metabolic changes after co-exposure scenarios were investigated. Toxicological data of the water soluble tetrazolium (WST-1) assay for cell proliferation and genotoxicity assessment using the Comet assay were combined with an untargeted as well as a targeted lipidomics approach. We found an attenuated cytotoxicity and an altered metabolic profile in co-exposure experiments with cerium dioxide, indicating an interaction of both compounds at these endpoints. Single exposure against cerium dioxide showed a genotoxic effect in the Comet assay. Conversely, acetaminophen exhibited no genotoxic effect. Comet assay data do not indicate an enhancement of genotoxicity after co-exposure. The results obtained in this study highlight the advantage of investigating co-exposure scenarios, especially for bioactive substances.

Revealing the effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles through the analysis of morphological changes in Chironomus riparius

Due to their many practical applications, engineered cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly used today, although there are justified concerns about the environmental risks of their usage. Studies to date have shown that CeO2 NPs do not pose a lethal hazard to hydrobiocenoses at environmentally relevant concentrations, but that they induce significant negative sublethal effects. Therefore, intensive work is being done on the adaptation of standard ecotoxicological tests with the development of new, sublethal biomarkers. The present study aims to examine the sublethal effects of prolonged exposure to CeO2 NPs (2.5; 25; 250 and 2500 mg of CeO2 NPs per 1 kg of sediment) on the morphological features of the non-biting aquatic midge Chironomus riparius. Morphological variation was examined by means of two approaches: (1) Deformity rate analysis (analysis of visible morphological malformations) and (2) Geometric morphometric analysis (analysis of differences in the size and shape of the larval mandibles and mentums, as well as adult male and female wings). Changes in all the morphological structures examined were observed using a geometric morphometric approach at low and very high concentrations of CeO2 NPs (2.5 and 2500 mg of CeO2 NPs per 1 kg of sediment). The potential reduction of sexual dimorphism resulting from downsizing of the wings in females was observed. These results indicate that the sublethal changes observed in chironomids exposed to CeO2 NPs are significant and may potentially lead to further changes in metabolism, diet and behavior, which may lead to repercussions of as yet unexamined proportions. Considering our findings, and the advantages of geometric morphometrics (precision, uniformity, accurate qualification, quantification, and visualization of fine morphological changes), this approach is proven to be an exceptional assessment tool, with great applicative potential in the ecotoxicological testing of nanoparticles.

Foliar Application of CeO2 Nanoparticles Alters Generative Components Fitness and Seed Productivity in Bean Crop (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

In the era of technology, nanotechnology has been introduced as a new window for agriculture. However, no attention has been paid to the effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (nCeO2) on the reproductive stage of plant development to evaluate their toxicity and safety. To address this important topic, bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) treated aerially with nCeO2 suspension at 250–2000 mg L−1 were cultivated until flowering and seed production in the greenhouse condition. Microscopy analysis was carried out on sectioned anthers and ovules at different developmental stages. The pollen’s mother cell development in nCeO2 treatments was normal at early stages, the same as control plants. However, the results indicated that pollen grains underwent serious structural damages, including chromosome separation abnormality at anaphase I, pollen wall defect, and pollen grain malformations in nCeO2-treated plants at the highest concentration, which resulted in pollen abortion and yield losses. On the ovule side, the progression of development only at the highest concentration was modified in the two-nucleated embryo sac stage, probably due to apoptosis in nuclei. Nevertheless, the findings confirmed the more pronounced vulnerability of male reproductive development under nCeO2 exposure than female development. The higher concentration decreased seed productivity, including seed set in either pods or whole plant (13% and 18% compared to control, respectively). The data suggested the potential application of nCeO2 at optimal dosages as a plant productivity ameliorative. However, a higher dosage is considered as an eco-environmental hazard. To our best knowledge, this is the first study analyzing reproductive plant response upon exposure to nCeO2.

Multi-biomarker approach to assess the acute effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles in gills, liver and kidney of Oncorhynchus mykiss

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NP) have already been detected in the aquatic compartment, however, the evaluation of potential ecotoxicological effects on biota are scarce. The present study aimed to assess the toxic effects of CeO2-NP in Oncorhynchus mykiss in different organs/tissues (gills, liver and kidney) after acute exposure (96 h) to three concentrations: 0.25, 2.5 and 25 mg/L. Oxidative stress response (catalase - CAT; glutathione S-transferases - GSTs), lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances - TBARS), Na+/K+-ATPase activity, genotoxicity (genetic damage index - GDI) and histopathology (organ's pathological indices) were evaluated. CAT activity was increased in gills and decreased in liver of fish exposed to the highest CeO2–NPs concentration tested. However, GSTs and Na+/K+-ATPase activities and TBARS levels were not significantly altered in analysed organs. CeO2–NP caused marked changes in the gills (aneurysms, blood capillary congestion, lamellar hypertrophy and hyperplasia, secondary lamella fusion and epithelial lifting), in liver (pyknotic nucleus, hyperemia, enlargement of sinusoids and leucocyte infiltration) and kidney (shrinkage of the glomeruli, enlargement of the Bowman space, tubular degeneration and nuclear hypertrophy). Moreover, a semi-quantitative histopathological scoring system (pathological index) confirmed significant alterations in the three organs of all exposed fish. Furthermore, a significant increase of GDI indices observed in gills and liver, for all tested concentrations, indicated a dose-dependent effect. The present study suggests that the release of CeO2-NP into the aquatic environment promotes biochemical, genotoxic and histopathological damages in fish. However, the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of such effects require further investigation.

Evaluation of neurological effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles doped with different amounts of zirconium following inhalation exposure in mouse models of Alzheimer's and vascular disease

Increasing evidence from toxicological and epidemiological studies indicates that the brain is an important target for ambient (ultrafine) particles. Disturbance of redox-homeostasis and inflammation in the brain are proposed as possible mechanisms that can contribute to neurotoxic and neurodegenerative effects. Whether and how engineered nanoparticles (NPs) may cause neurotoxicity and promote neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) is largely unstudied.We have assessed the neurological effects of subacute inhalation exposures (4 mg/m3 for 3 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks) to cerium dioxide (CeO2) NPs doped with different amounts of zirconium (Zr, 0%, 27% and 78%), to address the influence of particle redox-activity in the 5xFAD transgenic mouse model of AD. Four weeks post-exposure, effects on behaviour were evaluated and brain tissues were analysed for amyloid-β plaque formation and reactive microglia (Iba-1 staining). Behaviour was also evaluated in concurrently exposed non-transgenic C57BL/6J littermates, as well as in Western diet-fed apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice as a model of vascular disease. Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were evaluated in brain cortex.The brains of the NP-exposed 5xFAD mice revealed no accelerated amyloid-β plaque formation. No significant treatment-related behaviour impairments were observed in the healthy C57BL/6J mice. In the 5xFAD and ApoE-/- models, the NP inhalation exposures did not affect the alternation score in the X-maze indicating absence of spatial working memory deficits. However, following inhalation exposure to the 78% Zr-doped CeO2 NPs changes in forced motor performance (string suspension) and exploratory motor activity (X-maze) were observed in ApoE-/- and 5xFAD mice, respectively. Exposure to the 78% doped NPs also caused increased cortical expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the C57BL/6J mice. No significant treatment-related changes neuroinflammation and oxidative stress were observed in the 5xFAD and ApoE-/- mice.Our study findings reveal that subacute inhalation exposure to CeO2 NPs does not accelerate the AD-like phenotype of the 5xFAD model. Further investigation is warranted to unravel whether the redox-activity dependent effects on motor activity as observed in the mouse models of AD and vascular disease result from specific neurotoxic effects of these NPs.

Вплив наночастинок діоксиду церію на біохімічні показники в організмі курчат-бройлерів

At present, nanotechnology is taking the leading role in various industries, medicine, and agriculture all over the world. Fundamentally different properties are inherent in nanoparticles, in particular, a high capacity for accumulation in living organisms by overcoming biobarriers, increasing bioavailability and binding with the main components of cells. The article studies the peculiarities of the influence of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on metabolic pathways in the body of broiler chickens. The data on the use of metal nanoparticles, in particular, a material based on cerium, as an alternative to feed antibiotics for increasing the productivity of livestock and poultry farming has been analyzed. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on the biochemical blood profile of chickens with meat production. For the studies carried out at the Research Institute of Ecology and Biotechnology of the Bila Tserkva NAU, a new multifunctional antioxidant was used - nanodispersed cerium dioxide, developed by the D. K. Zabolotny Institute of Microbiology and Virology of the NASU, Ukraine. For the scientific and economic experience there were formed 3 groups of broilers of the ROSS 308 cross according to the principle of analogous groups (control and 2 experimental groups, 100 heads each). For 58 days, the experimental groups of birds with drinking water were added nanodispersed cerium dioxide at a dose of 8.6 mg/l during the first 14 days. Course was repeated after 7 (group 1) and 14 days (group 2) breaks. As a result of the studies, it was found that the blood parameters of broilers, characterizing the main types of metabolism were within the physiological norm. There was a tendency to activation of lipid and protein metabolism, which contributed to the intensification of the growth of young animals. The use of nanodispersed cerium dioxide as a promising material for increasing the productivity of poultry farming and as an alternative to feed antibiotics is argued. In further studies, it is advisable to study the action of cerium dioxide nanoparticles to study all possible mechanisms of its biological activity.

ACUTE TOXICITY OF CERIUM DIOXIDE NANOPARTICLES

The resorptive effects of 0.01 M cerium nanodioxide sol upon single intraperitoneal administration to rats have been studied. The acute exposure to nanoparticles was found to have a dose-dependent general toxic effect on the body (weight loss, inflammatory changes in the abdominal organs, modification of individual behavior, hematological changes, metabolic imbalance), which develops on the background of POL activation. The prooxidant effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles is demonstratively manifested at relatively high exposure levels (80–8 mg / kg). The threshold dose for the general toxic effect (Limch integr) is equal to 0.8 mg / kg.

Morphological, proteomic and metabolomic insight into the effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles to Phaseolus vulgaris L. under soil or foliar application

Chemically synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in industry and concern over their impact on the environment is rising. In this study, greenhouse grown bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants were treated with CeO2 NPs suspensions at 0, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000mgL−1 either aerially by spraying or via soil application. At 15days after treatment, plants were analyzed for Ce uptake, morphological and biochemical assays, as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry based metabolomics and proteomics. The results from ICP-MS assays showed a dose dependent absorption, uptake and translocation of Ce through both roots and leaves; Ce content increased from 0.68 up to 1894mgkg−1 following spray application, while concentrations were three orders lower following soil application (0.59 to 2.19mgkg−1). Electrolyte leakage increased with NPs rate, from 25.2% to 70.3% and from 24.8% to 32.9% following spray and soil application, respectively. Spraying lowered stomatal density (from 337 to 113 per mm2) and increased stomatal length (from 12.8 to 19.4μm), and altered photosynthesis and electron transport chain biochemical machinery. The increase in Ce content induced accumulation of osmolites (proline increased from 0.54 to 0.65mg/g under spray application), phytosiderophores (muconate and mugineate compounds showed increase fold-changes >16) and proteins involved in folding or turnover. NPs application induced membrane damage, as evidenced by the increase in membrane lipids degradates and by the increase in electrolyte leakage, and caused oxidative stress. Most of the responses were not linear but dose-dependent, whereas metabolic disruption is expected at the highest NPs dosage. Both proteomics and metabolomics highlighted a stronger effect of CeO2 NPs spraying, as compared to soil application. High concentrations of NPs in the environment have been confirmed to pose toxicity concern towards plants, although important differences could be highlighted between aerial deposition and soil contamination.

Experimental evaluation of the influence of gold nanoparticles and cerium dioxide on normal and malignant cells and tissues.

The results of experimental studies of the effect of gold nanoparticles ( AuNPs ) on the organs of the reproductive system of male rats, cells and tissues of androgen-dependent prostate cancer (PCa) are presented, as well as the effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO 2 NPs ) on the testes and fertility of aging male rats. Addition of polydisperse colloidal solution of AuNPs (10-50 nm) to the culture medium in a final concentration of 10 μg/ml inhibited the growth of the LNCaP culture, PCa cells, while monodisperse solution of AuNPs (20 nm) caused no effect. The polydisperse colloidal solution of AuNPs arrested the growth of PCa xenografts in mice, when administered parenterally at a dose range of 0.64-6.4 μg/kg body weight. The selectivity of the drug effect on the malignant epithelium is confirmed by signs of its destruction and decrease in the epithelial stromal ratio on histological preparations of xenografts. There was no significant damaging effect of poly- and monodisperse AuNPs solutions on the organs of the reproductive system of male rats when administered for up to two weeks. The stimulating effect of a low dose of CeO 2 NPs (1 mg/kg b.w.) administered orally on hormonal function of testes and spermatogenesis, proliferative and secretory processes in the prostate of aging male rats was established. However, fertility of animals was reduced in comparison with the control group due to immaturity of the part of spermatozoa. Thus, metal nanoparticles and their salts can have both a stimulating and destructive effect on organs and tissues, which should be taken into consideration when studying their therapeutic potential and in toxicology.

Long term effects of cerium dioxide nanoparticles on the nitrogen removal, micro-environment and community dynamics of a sequencing batch biofilm reactor

The influences of cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) on nitrogen removal in biofilm were investigated. Prolonged exposure (75d) to 0.1mg/L CeO2 NPs caused no inhibitory effects on nitrogen removal, while continuous addition of 10mg/L CeO2 NPs decreased the treatment efficiency to 53%. With the progressive concentration of CeO2 NPs addition, the removal efficiency could nearly stabilize at 67% even with the continues spike of 10mg/L. The micro-profiles of dissolved oxygen, pH, and oxidation reduction potential suggested the developed protection mechanisms of microbes to progressive CeO2 NPs exposure led to the less influence of microenvironment, denitrification bacteria and enzyme activity than those with continuous ones. Furthermore, high throughput sequencing illustrated the drastic shifted communities with gradual CeO2 NPs spiking was responsible for the adaption and protective mechanisms. The present study demonstrated the acclimated microbial community was able to survive CeO2 NPs addition more readily than those non-acclimated.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of cerium dioxide nanoparticles immobilized on the surface of silica nanoparticles in rat experimental pneumonia

A massage with the potent counter-inflammatory material, cerium dioxide nanoparticles, is promising and the antioxidant properties of CeO2 are considered the main, if not the only, mechanism of this action. Nevertheless, the elimination of ceria nano-particles from the organism is very slow and there is a strong concern for toxic effect of ceria due to its accumulation. To overcome this problem, we engineered a combined material in which cerium nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of silica nanoparticles (CeO2 NP), which is shown to be easily removed from an organism and could be used as carriers for nano-ceria. In our study particle size was 220±5nm, Zeta-potential −4.5mV (in water), surface charge density −17.22μC/cm2 (at pH 7).Thirty-six male Wistar rats, 5 months old and 250–290g were divided into four groups: 1) control; 2) CeO2 NP treatment; 3) experimental pneumonia (i/p LPS injection, 1mg/kg); and 4) experimental pneumonia treated with CeO2 NP (4 times during the study in dosage of 0.6mg/kg with an orogastric catheter). Gas exchange and pulmonary ventilation were measured four times: 0, 1, 3 and 24h after LPS injection in both untreated and CeO2 NP-treated animals. The mRNA of TNF-α, Il-6, and CxCL2 were determined by RT-PCR. ROS-generation in blood plasma and lung tissue homogenates were measured by means of lucigenin- and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence.Endotoxemia in the acute phase was associated with: (1) pathological changes in lung morphology; (2) increase of ROS generation; (3) enhanced expression of CxCL2; and (4) a gradual decrease of VO2 and VE. CeO2 NP treatment of intact animals did not make any changes in all studied parameters except for a significant augmentation of VO2 and VE. CeO2 NP treatment of rats with pneumonia created positive changes in diminishing lung tissue injury, decreasing ROS generation in blood and lung tissue and decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (TNF-α, Il-6 and CxCL2). Oxygen consumption in this group was increased compared to the LPS pneumonia group.In our study we have shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CeO2 NP. In addition, this paper is the first to report that CeO2 NP stimulates oxygen consumption in both healthy rats, and rats with pneumonia. We propose the key in understanding the mechanisms behind the phenomena lies in the property of CeO2 NP to scavenge ROS and the influence of this potent antioxidant on mitochondrial function. The study of biodistribution and elimination of СеО2NP is the purpose of our ongoing study.