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HERO ID
90606
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Inhalation exposure study of titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a primary particle size of 2 to 5 nm
Author(s)
Grassian, VH; O'Shaughnessy, PT; Adamcakova-Dodd, A; Pettibone, JM; Thorne, PS
Year
2007
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Environmental Health Perspectives
ISSN:
0091-6765
EISSN:
1552-9924
Volume
115
Issue
3
Page Numbers
397-402
Language
English
PMID
17431489
DOI
10.1289/ehp.9469
Web of Science Id
WOS:000244651500032
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nanotechnology offers great promise in many industrial applications. However, little is known about the health effects of manufactured nanoparticles, the building blocks of nanomaterials. OBJECTIVES: Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) nanoparticles with a primary size of 2-5 nm have not been studied previously in inhalation exposure models and represent some of the smallest manufactured nanoparticles. The purpose of this study was to assess the toxicity of these nanoparticles using a murine model of lung inflammation and injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The properties of TiO(2) nanoparticles as well as the characteristics of aerosols of these particles were evaluated. Mice were exposed to TiO(2) nanoparticles in a whole-body exposure chamber acutely (4 hr) or subacutely (4 hr/day for 10 days). Toxicity in exposed mice was assessed by enumeration of total and differential cells, determination of total protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Lungs were also evaluated for histopathologic changes RESULTS: Mice exposed acutely to 0.77 or 7.22 mg/m(3) nanoparticles demonstrated minimal lung toxicity or inflammation. Mice exposed subacutely (8.88 mg/m(3)) and necropsied immediately and at week 1 or 2 postexposure had higher counts of total cells and alveolar macrophages in the BAL fluid compared with sentinels. However, mice recovered by week 3 postexposure. Other indicators were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Mice subacutely exposed to 2-5 nm TiO(2) nanoparticles showed a significant but moderate inflammatory response among animals at week 0, 1, or 2 after exposure that resolved by week 3 postexposure.
Keywords
aerosol; inhalation toxicology study; murine models; nanoparticles; nanotoxicity; particle aggregation; surface area; titanium dioxide
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