Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
24.3.3
Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity
Genotoxic chemicals cause mutations by damaging DNA and these mutations sometimes can cause
cancer. Several toxicological tests which are used to assess the genotoxic potential of a chemical
are listed below
[42]
:
1.
Comet assay
2.
Micronucleus test
3.
Ames test
4.
Mammalian cell gene mutation
5.
Sister chromatid exchange
6.
Chromosomal aberrations
The following list is of nanoparticles which demonstrated a positive genotoxic test
[42]
:
1.
Chitosan and poly(methyl acrylic acid)
2.
Silicon carbide
3.
Poly-N-isopropylacrylamide
4.
Quantum dots
5.
SWCNT
6.
Zinc oxide
7.
Titanium oxide
8.
Silver
9.
Fullerene (C
60
)
10.
Gold
Mice developed mesothelioma after intraperitoneal injections of multiwalled carbon nanotubes
which is similar to side effects seen with intraperitoneal injections of asbestos
[48]
. Titanium diox-
ide and carbon black nanoparticles are carcinogenic in animal models when given via inhalation or
intratracheal instillation
[42]
.
24.3.4
Reproductive and developmental toxicity
The following nanoparticles were found to have reproductive and/or developmental toxicity in ani-
mal models
[42]
:
1.
Titanium dioxide
2.
Carbon black
3.
SWCNTs
4.
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes
5.
Gold
6.
Silver
7.
Fullerene (C
60
)
8.
Silica
Next are two examples of reproductive and developmental toxicity of nanoparticles in animal
models. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were injected subcutaneously to pregnant mice. The male
