Nanotoxicology 

About: Nanotoxicology is an academic journal published by Informa. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Silver nanoparticle & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 1743-5390. Over the lifetime, 1174 publications have been published receiving 60495 citations.

Nano-silver – a review of available data and knowledge gaps in human and environmental risk assessment

Abstract: Nano-silver is used in an increasing number of products. Some of the applications have resulted in the concern of governments and the public, since little is known about the potential risks of nano-silver. In this review, an inventory is made to identify knowledge gaps that have to be filled before risks for both man and the environment can be assessed as reliable as for ‘non-nanosized’ chemicals. It is hypothesized that the toxic effects of nano-silver are due to a combination of the specific properties of silver nanoparticles and the generation of ions from them. The main topic for future research is validation of our ‘0-hypothesis’ that toxic effects of nano-silver are proportional to the activity of free silver ions released by the nanoparticles. Furthermore, it must be determined whether – or to what extent – nano-silver particles will enter the body. The outcomes of these tests will determine the requirements for further toxicity testing.

Toxicology of nanoparticles: A historical perspective

Abstract: The rapid expansion of nanotechnology promises to have great benefits for society, yet there is increasing concern that human and environmental exposure to engineered nanomaterials may result in si...

Mechanisms of genotoxicity. A review of in vitro and in vivo studies with engineered nanoparticles.

Abstract: Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in different technologies but their unique properties might also cause adverse health effects. In reviewing recent in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity studies we discuss potential mechanisms of genotoxicity induced by NPs. Various factors that may influence genotoxic response, including physico-chemical properties and experimental conditions, are highlighted. From 4346 articles on NP toxicity, 112 describe genotoxicity studies (94 in vitro, 22 in vivo). The most used assays are the comet assay (58 in vitro, 9 in vivo), the micronucleus assay (31 in vitro, 14 in vivo), the chromosome aberrations test (10 in vitro, 1 in vivo) and the bacterial reverse mutation assay (13 studies). We describe advantages and potential problems with different methods and suggest the need for appropriate methodologies to be used for investigation of genotoxic effects of NPs, in vitro and in vivo.

Cellular responses to nanoparticles: Target structures and mechanisms

Abstract: Nanotechnology makes use of the special surface properties of extremely small particles. In this rapidly growing field, many different materials are produced for a multitude of diverse applications. Possible adverse health effects of these materials however are so far scarcely investigated and are therefore a special task of toxicology. Although strategies for risk assessment have been suggested, the authors of the current review emphasize the fact that on the cellular, subcellular and molecular levels, interactions between nanoparticles (NP) and target cells relevant for the induction of possible adverse health effects are poorly understood. On the basis of existing literature, the potentially most relevant cellular target sites of NP as well as the so far known major molecular events specifically induced by these xenobiotics are reviewed. Starting with NP uptake across the cell membrane, mechanisms of generation of reactive oxygen species and the activation of redox-sensitive signalling cascades are des...

Barriers, pathways and processes for uptake, translocation and accumulation of nanomaterials in plants – Critical review

Abstract: Uptake, transport and toxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) into plant cells are complex processes that are currently still not well understood. Parts of this problem are the multifaceted pla...