Dextran stabilized fullerene soot induced toxicity on alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells).

Fullerene comprises the major allotrope of carbon holding several fruitful potentials to be applied in various industrial and biomedical scenarios. Scientists have acquired large number of data on fullerene research using its derivatives like C60, C70 etc. Nevertheless, a precise focus on fullerene soot nanopaticles and its toxic impacts in living tissue is still behind mainstay even if it represents the crude parent form of all other derivatives. Present study addresses an acute toxicity profiling of fullerene soot nanoparticles in alveolar epithelial cells (A549) as a paradigm of pulmonary exposure. Surface functionalization was given for fullerene soot nanoparticles using dextran polymer as a mean to establish a stable homogenous dispersion (denoted as dFSNPs hereafter). Following functionalization, dFSNPs were characterized for various parameters including size, surface charge, morphology and functional groups using DLS, Zeta potential analysis, TEM and FT-IR measurements respectively. Effective dextran functionalization was evident from the characteristic peaks in FTIR spectra. Cell viability assessed using MTT and NRU assays; both of which showed a dose dependent cytotoxic response. Thymidine incorporation also confirmed similar trend in viability rate. In accordance with literatures, DCFHDA assay confirmed free radical scavenging activity of fullerene nanoparticles. An altered cellular morphology was observed under fluorescent microscope. Sub-cellular functionalities including lysosomal integrity and mitochondrial stability were found to be compromised at highest tested concentration of dFSNPs (160 µg/ml) without any genotoxic impacts within nuclear premises. FACS analysis following Annexin-PI staining confirmed apoptotic cell death. Hence the overall study substantiated dose dependent toxicity of dFSNPs which is likely to occur during pulmonary exposure.

Zinc oxide nanoparticle induced neurotoxic potential upon interaction with primary astrocytes.

As obvious from the basic prerequisite of any particle in nanoscale, Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) possess numerous tunable properties distinct from their bulk formulations. Emerging innovations in various sectors of nanotechnology are exploiting ZnO NPs largely. This inturn picks up the occasions of human exposure irrespective of the application fields. Although the platform of nanotoxicology has been garnished with nano-bio interaction studies using different cell lines, a few are existing so far comprising primary cells which symbolize realistic in vivo environment. The present study addresses the neurotoxic potential of ZnO NPs using primary astrocytes isolated from post-natal 0-2 day old rat pups. Cells were cultured and maintained in DMEM F12 followed by purification. ZnO NPs generated by wet chemical method was then characterized both physico chemically and biologically. All of the techniques confirmed homogenous distribution of NPs and ensured enough colloidal stability. Bio-nano interaction studies commence on cell viability assays (MTT and NRU) and both of which confirmed dose and time dependent cytotoxicity. Alterations within cellular morphology, cytoskeletal arrangement, lysosomal stability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and caspase activation were evaluated by standardized techniques. All of the assays substantiated significant toxic consequences in astrocytes with characteristic hall marks. Apoptotic cell death was noted without any deformations of nuclear material. A comparative toxicity study using ZnO NPs, ZnCl2 and ZnO bulk form was performed which confirmed nanospecific toxicity of ZnO NPs. Overall study evidently provide cautious information that ZnO NPs is capable of eliciting serious neuronal tissue damages which can turn out to be fatal during prolonged exposure.

Bio-interactions and risks of engineered nanoparticles.

Nano technological research offered uncountable opportunities for engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in the field of biomedical, pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetics, textiles, automobiles and electronic industry. Large scale commercial production and use of nanoparticles with smaller size and characteristic physico-chemical properties enhance the possibility of amenable toxicity to the environment. Primary important species of the ecosystem like bacteria, algae, fishes and plants are at high risk with nanoparticle (NP) toxicity. ENP distributed in air, water and soil can directly affect the livelihood or even the existence of smaller organisms. In day-today life, human beings are getting exposed to thousands of NPs via dermal contact, inhalation or ingestion. Topical application of sunscreens and cosmetics containing ENPs has the potential to induce photo toxicity under ultra violet irradiation. ENP intentionally or non-intentionally enter into the body will affect the entire organ system and execute their toxicity even in reproduction and fetal developmental stages. Unfortunately the existing researches to evaluate the in vivo and in vitro toxic effects of ENPs are inefficient to give the exact nature and depth of toxicity. Hence an effort was made to discuss on the characteristics, classification, synthesis, applications and toxic potentials of various classes of commercially relevant ENPs along with a detailed review on currently available literatures.

Pyrogens, a polypeptide produces fever by metabolic changes in hypothalamus: Mechanisms and detections.

Fever is one of the cardinal symptoms of onset of an infection or inflammation and is the common clinical indicator for medical consultation in mammalian host worldwide. Simply, fever manifested with elevation of body temperature from normal physiological range represents adaptive response of immune system on challenge with an infectious and non-infectious circumstance. Fever usually initiated in the periphery as a result of interaction of immune cells with exogenous or endogenous pyrogens. Peripheral pyrogenic signals gain access to the central nervous system via humoral and neural route. Humoral pathway was initiated with production of pyrogenic cytokines and prostaglandins from immune cells of blood as well as liver, transmitted directly to pre-optic area of hypothalamus through the circumventricular organ of brain. On the other hand an alternative pathway was initiated by the same cytokines indirectly via stimulating the vagal sensory neurons result in pyrogenic fever; so-called neuronal pathway. If the magnitude of pyrogens associated fever is very high, it will lead to severe illness ranging from septic shock to death. So it is necessary to evaluate the presence of pyrogens in implants, medical devices, drugs and biological materials to ensure safety in biomedical applications and therapeutics. Classification, route of administration, mechanism of action and detection of pyrogens and associated products are the major subject of this review.