The Effect of Particle Size on the Cytotoxicity of Amorphous Silicon Dioxide: An in Vitro Toxicological Study

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Student Research Committee, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

2 School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

4 Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

5 Nanomedicine and Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

6 Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Amorphous silicon dioxide (A-SiO2) is abundant in the Earth’s crust, the A-SiO2 nano and microparticles are released into the air through industrial and manufacturing activities. Due to the limited available toxicological information, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the toxicity of different sizes of A-SiO2 particles on the A549 cell-lines in an in vitro study. Materials and Methods: The A-SiO2 particles in two categories of nano (10-100 nm) and micro (< 5um) were used in this study. The human lung A549 cell-line was exposed to either nano- or micro-sized A-SiO2 particles at 10, 50, 100, and 250 μg/ml, and the effects were investigated. Results: The cytotoxicity of A-SiO2 nano and microparticles in both 24- and 72-hour exposure times resulted in decreased cell survival, mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased ROS generation which was concentration-time dependent (P <0.05) but glutathione content was not affected in a time-dependent manner. Cytotoxicity of nanoparticles, contrary to the previous study, was not higher than microparticles in the comparable dose and exposure times. Conclusion: The rate of ROS generation in the A549 cell-line exposed to A-SiO2 nanoparticles was higher than microparticles. And at the same time, cell survival for exposed cells to A-SiO2 nano and microparticles were higher for nanoparticles in shorter exposure periods and was inversely concentration- and time-dependent. Further studies on exploring the effect of size and its possible toxic mechanism are recommended to achieve a more credible risk assessment.

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 22, Issue 2
February 2021
Pages 325-332

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History

  • Receive Date: 27 November 2019
  • Revise Date: 08 October 2020
  • Accept Date: 06 February 2021

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