Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Nanotoxicology is one of the cutting-edge topics of our journal (Gehrke et al. 2011; Xie et al. 2010; Jeong et al. 2010; Marano et al. 2011). As the use of nanoparticles in commercially available products is rapidly growing, toxicological research has to address the risk of unintended nanomaterial exposure (Foldbjerg et al. 2011; van Berlo et al. 2010; Kim et al. 2011a, b; Truong et al. 2011; Leppänen et al. 2011). On the other hand, the use of nanomaterials in diagnostics and cancer therapy is also growing (Weiss and Diabaté 2011; Gibson et al. 2011; Hoshino et al. 2011). Here, nanotoxicology has to identify possible toxic mechanisms to avoid side effects of pharmaceutical nanoproducts.
One of the widely used pharmaceutical nanomaterials is magnetic nanoparticle. Therefore, the editors are pleased that Dr. Cho from Seoul National University has accepted our invitation and contributed a comprehensive state of the art review about application and possible toxicity of magnetic nanoparticles (Kim et al. 2011a, b; this issue). Magnetic nanoparticles are used in magnetic resonance imaging. Moreover, they allow binding of biomolecules, such as antibodies, proteins, ligand or therapeutic gens, and can therefore improve delivery of biomolecules and drugs. When we consider possible toxic effects of magnetic nanoparticles, iron toxicity is one of the first possible mechanisms that comes to ones mind. However, small amounts of iron released from magnetic nanoparticles do not necessarily have to induce adverse health effects, since iron is efficiently metabolized by the reticuloendothelial system, used for biosynthesis of hemoglobin or excreted via the kidney. In rats even relatively high doses of 100 mg/kg of iron did not induce toxic effects (discussed in Kim et al. 2011a, b). Therefore, the question is relevant whether magnetic nanoparticles can cause a systemic or local iron overload that is high enough to induce toxic effects. The current article of Cho gives a comprehensive summary of animal studies addressing organ toxicity, particularly placenta and testis, the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory and immune system as well as liver and kidney. The review is highly recommended to anyone interested in application and possible toxicity of magnetic nanoparticles.
References
Foldbjerg R, Dang DA, Autrup H (2011) Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in the human lung cancer cell line, A549. Arch Toxicol 85(7):743–750
Gehrke H, Pelka J, Hartinger CG, Blank H, Bleimund F, Schneider R, Gerthsen D, Bräse S, Crone M, Türk M, Marko D (2011) Platinum nanoparticles and their cellular uptake and DNA platination at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Arch Toxicol 85(7):799–812
Gibson N, Holzwarth U, Abbas K, Simonelli F, Kozempel J, Cydzik I, Cotogno G, Bulgheroni A, Gilliland D, Ponti J, Franchini F, Marmorato P, Stamm H, Kreyling W, Wenk A, Semmler-Behnke M, Buono S, Maciocco L, Burgio N (2011) Radiolabelling of engineered nanoparticles for in vitro and in vivo tracing applications using cyclotron accelerators. Arch Toxicol 85(7):751–773
Hoshino A, Hanada S, Yamamoto K (2011) Toxicity of nanocrystal quantum dots: the relevance of surface modifications. Arch Toxicol 85(7):707–720
Jeong GN, Jo UB, Ryu HY, Kim YS, Song KS, Yu IJ (2010) Histochemical study of intestinal mucins after administration of silver nanoparticles in Sprague-Dawley rats. Arch Toxicol 84(1):63–69
Kim JE, Shin JY, Cho MH (2011) Magnetic nanoparticles: an update of application for drug delivery and possible toxic effects. Arch Toxicol. 2011 Nov 11. doi:10.1007/s00204-011-0773-3 (Epub ahead of print)
Kim JS, Lee K, Lee YH, Cho HS, Kim KH, Choi KH, Lee SH, Song KS, Kang CS, Yu IJ (2011b) Aspect ratio has no effect on genotoxicity of multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Arch Toxicol 85(7):775–786
Leppänen M, Korpi A, Miettinen M, Leskinen J, Torvela T, Rossi EM, Vanhala E, Wolff H, Alenius H, Kosma VM, Joutsensaari J, Jokiniemi J, Pasanen P (2011) Nanosized TiO2 caused minor airflow limitation in the murine airways. Arch Toxicol 85(7):827–839
Marano F, Hussain S, Rodrigues-Lima F, Baeza-Squiban A, Boland S (2011) Nanoparticles: molecular targets and cell signalling. Arch Toxicol 85(7):733–741
Truong L, Moody IS, Stankus DP, Nason JA, Lonergan MC, Tanguay RL (2011) Differential stability of lead sulfide nanoparticles influences biological responses in embryonic zebrafish. Arch Toxicol 85(7):787–798
van Berlo D, Albrecht C, Knaapen AM, Cassee FR, Gerlofs-Nijland ME, Kooter IM, Palomero-Gallagher N, Bidmon HJ, van Schooten FJ, Krutmann J, Schins RP (2010) Comparative evaluation of the effects of short-term inhalation exposure to diesel engine exhaust on rat lung and brain. Arch Toxicol 84(7):553–562
Weiss C, Diabaté S (2011) A special issue on nanotoxicology. Arch Toxicol 85(7):705–706
Xie G, Sun J, Zhong G, Shi L, Zhang D (2010) Biodistribution and toxicity of intravenously administered silica nanoparticles in mice. Arch Toxicol 84(3):183–190
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Marchan, R., Reif, R. & Hengstler, J.G. Toxicology of magnetic nanoparticles: disturbed body iron homeostasis?. Arch Toxicol 86, 683–684 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-012-0850-2
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-012-0850-2