Surface capping and size-dependent toxicity of gold nanoparticles on different trophic levels

Iswarya, V.; Manivannan, J.; De, Arpita; Paul, Subhabrata; Roy, Rajdeep; Johnson, J. B.; Kundu, Rita; Cantiracēkaran̲, Nā.; Mukherjee, Anita; Mukherjee, Amitava

Surface capping and size-dependent toxicity of gold nanoparticles on different trophic levels

2016

In the present study, the toxicity of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) was evaluated on various trophic organisms. Bacteria, algae, cell line, and mice were used as models representing different trophic levels. Two different sizes (CIT₃₀ and CIT₄₀) and surface-capped (CIT₃₀–polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)-capped) Au NPs were selected. CIT₃₀ Au NP aggregated more rapidly than CIT₄₀ Au NP, while an additional capping of PVP (CIT₃₀–PVP capped Au NP) was found to enhance its stability in sterile lake water medium. Interestingly, all the forms of NPs evaluated were stable in the cell culture medium during the exposure period. Size- and dose-dependent cytotoxicities were observed in both bacteria and algae, with a strong dependence on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. CIT₃₀–PVP capped Au NP showed a significant decrease in toxicity compared to CIT₃₀ Au NP in bacteria and algae. In the SiHa cell line, dose- and exposure-dependent decline in cell viability were noted for all three types of Au NPs. In mice, the induction of DNA damage was size and dose dependent, and surface functionalization with PVP reduced the toxic effects of CIT₃₀ Au NP. The exposure to CIT₃₀, CIT₄₀, and CIT₃₀–PVP capped Au NPs caused an alteration of the oxidative stress-related endpoints in mice hepatocytes. The toxic effects of the gold nanoparticles were found to vary in diverse test systems, accentuating the importance of size and surface functionalization at different trophic levels.

اظهر المزيد [+]