Genotoxic nanotubes
Scientists of the National Research University "BelSU" have established the influence of nanomaterials on the DNA of living organisms
Researchers of the Center for Genomic Selection together with colleagues from Tambov State University conducted research on the genotoxicity of carbon nanotubes within the framework of the world-class REC "Innovative Solutions in Agriculture".
Multilayer carbon nanotubes (MNT) today are one of the most popular and promising innovative tools that are used in various fields of nanotechnology – from nanocomposite materials to nanoelectronics for biomedical devices. Scientists have studied a well-known carbon nanomaterial used in medicine as nanochips and nanosensors, as well as for creating biocompatible implants and in agriculture for the delivery of pesticides and fertilizers.
Figures from the article by Snegin et al. Genotoxicity evaluation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes: in vivo studies in mice – VM.
Experiments conducted on laboratory mice have revealed DNA disorders that can lead to long-term toxic effects, including in relation to the offspring of exposed animals. Scientists' conclusion: the use of nanomaterials should be strictly regulated and must be checked for genotoxicity. Currently, studies of the toxicity of nanomaterials at the cellular level are being conducted, and the research of Belgorod and Tambov scientists is aimed at studying the toxicity at the molecular level, in particular, the genotoxicity of nanotubes in mammalian cells.
According to the director of the Research Center for Genomic Selection of the National Research University "BelSU", Doctor of Biological Sciences Eduard Snegin, conducted tests of carbon nanomaterial have shown that the genotoxic effect of multilayer nanotubes is present in all studied organs of laboratory mice, including liver, lungs, kidneys, seminal tubules, brain, bone marrow cells and peripheral blood leukocytes. At the same time, the indicators of genotoxicity depend on the dosage of the administered drug.
– The introduction of multilayer carbon nanotubes in dosages of 5 mg/day and 2.5 mg/day in an acute experiment shows a significant increase in the amount of destroyed DNA in the kidneys and lungs compared with the control group. At a dosage of 2.5 mg / day, an increase in the "DNA comet" index is also observed in the cells of the large intestine, brain and leukocytes. This is probably due to the lower level of agglomeration of multilayer carbon nanotubes and their greater spread throughout the body. With subacute administration of MNT at a dosage of 0.5 mg / day, a negative effect on the DNA of cells of all the organs studied was also shown, – said Eduard Anatolyevich.
A typical image of DNA comets at various stages of destruction of the nuclei of mouse bone marrow cells is VM.
The destruction of DNA in leukocytes during exposure to carbon nanomaterial is also confirmed on the culture of human peripheral blood lymphocytes. In vitro experiments with 48-hour processing of nanotube cells, scientists revealed an increased level of intracellular reactive oxygen species during the experimental period, which led to cell damage and death, DNA damage and an inflammatory response.
The research of scientists proves that the revealed changes in organs as a result of the introduction of carbon nanomaterial can become a serious prerequisite for further pathology of organs, therefore it is necessary to assess potential health risks in a timely manner in the long term.
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