Physical damage -the origin of nanotoxicity / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Despite tre mendous research efforts have been devoted to the analysis of nanoparticles (NPs)biohazard,the potential mechanism for nanotoxicity has not yet been syste mati-cal y elucidated.This review intends to point out the confusions about nanotoxicity in the field and tries to look into the mecha-nism from a new perspective.Currently,there are three puzzles① no relationship between dose and toxicity could be observed in nanotoxicity;②there is a theory for the″size effects″,however, it cannot explain some cases contrary to the doctrine;③ NPs made of different materials with various sizes could have the same toxic effects through sti mulating oxidative stress.In fact, human body is co mposed of various biological molecules,and the biological function of a living syste m is reflected by the inter-actions and conversions of those molecules.NPs,on the other hand,are the invader of human body which has no ability to transport or convert or digest the foreigner.Thus,NPs could cause celldamage due to the physical blockage of micro-circula-tion,celldestruction due to membrane rando m insertion,and celldysfunction due to physical contacting with big biological mole-cules.The physical damages caused by various NPs could be divided into three categoriesadhesion lesion,card inlay and puncture.Above al ,by analyzing wide spectrum of NPs varying in co mposition,shape and size,the author draws a conclusion that physical damage is the origin of nanotoxicity.