Abstract:
For successful application of nanomaterials
in bioscience, it is essential to understand the
biological fate and potential toxicity of nanoparticles.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the genetic safety
of magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) (Fe3O4) in order
to provide their diverse applications in life sciences,
such as drug development, protein detection, and gene
delivery. Concentrations of 10 ppm, 30 ppm, and 70 ppm
(10-70 μg/mL) of the MNPs of 8.0 ± 2.0 nm were used.
Characterization of MNPs was done with transmission
electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffractometry
(XRD) and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).
The MNPs mutagenic potential was evaluated using the
Salmonella Ames test with Salmonella strains TA100,
TA2638, TA102, and TA98 in the presence and the
absence of metabolic activation with S9-liver extract.
Genetic mutations at the chromosomal level and extent
of DNA damage using the alkaline Comet assay were
applied to peripheral blood lymphocytes and HEK-293
cell lines respectively. There were significant changes in
the results of the Salmonella mutagenicity test at the 70
ppm concentration of MNPs which might reflect their
mutagenic activity at higher concentrations. Cytogenetic
evaluation revealed the absence of genetic mutations
at the chromosomal level. The extent of DNA damage
quantified by Comet assay and the mutagenicity study
using Ames test were significantly correlated for the
MNPs. Our results indicated that magnetite nanoparticles
with the defined physicochemical properties caused
apparent toxicity at higher concentrations of 30 ppm and
70 ppm without chromosomal abnormalities under the
experimental conditions of this study.
