Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on Cultured Central Nervous System Cells

摘要

Nanotechnology is developing rapidly and the production of novel man-made nanoparticles is increasing. However, the effects of these particles on human health are unevaluated. Depending on particle size and the surface properties, nanoparticles may have the potential to affect human health. In recent studies, several silica nanoparticles (<100 nm) were shown to be penetrating into the brain. Thus, it is important to understand the influence of these nanoparticles on the central nervous system. In this study, we investigated the toxicological influence of nanoparticles on cortical cultured neurons isolated from embryonic day 18 Wister rats. Cortical cultured neurons at 21 days in vitro (DIV) were treated with 30 nm silica nanoparticles for 1 hr. Many neurons were damaged immediately more than at 0.01 mg/ml concentration of silica. Cell damage was also assessed using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay. We revealed that the Neuro-toxicological mechanisms were due to membrane permeability. It was suggested that cell membrane permeability was enhanced because of ROS generation. Given these results, it will be important to determine the effect of nano-silica particles in vivo and identify the extent of neuronal damage.