Source:
Particle and Fibre Toxicology, Volume 4, Issue 6 (2007)URL:
http://www.particleandfibretoxicology.com/content/4/1/6Keywords:
carbon nanoparticlesAbstract:
MethodsParticles:
C60CS from SES Research (Houston, TX) and from Bucky USA (Houston, TX);
SWNT from SES Research (Houston, TX) and from nanotechnologies Inc (Houston, TX); MWNT from SES Research and from nanolab (Newton, MA).
Suspension media:
Various media were used including, cell culture media RPMI with fetal calf serum (FCS), FCS alone, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), 1%Tween80 in PBS, delipidated FCS, 7.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA).
Dispersion analysis:
Light microscopy at 400 x magnification.
In vivo studies:
Particle instillation intratracheally in Balb/c mice (12 weeks of age) at a dose of 250 µg per mouse.
CNP suspended in serum produced particle suspension with the fewest large agglomerates, and the most uniform distribution in mouse lungs. In addition, no apparent clearance of instilled CNP took place from lungs even after seven days.
Conclusions
This work demonstrates that CNP agglomerates are present in all dispersing vehicles to some degree. The source of CNP is also a factor in the degree of particle agglomeration within the same vehicle.
Notes:
General commentsThis well conducted study suggest that the optimal dispersion of CNP in a biological system is one of the key critical step to be considered for effective relevant in vitro toxicity studies and effective CNP distribution through the tissue.
This observation suggests that various dispersions may modify CNP biological activity. The paper shows in fact that no “perfect” solution exists for the problem because we need to disperse the material, but any dispersion will change the biological activity.
