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Whole Body Retention and Distribution of Orally-Adminsitered Radiolabeled Zerovalent Iron nanoparticles in Mice
Citation:
HUGHES, M. F., T. C. Long, W. K. BOYES, AND T. V. RAMABHADRAN. Whole Body Retention and Distribution of Orally-Adminsitered Radiolabeled Zerovalent Iron nanoparticles in Mice. Journal of Nanotechnology. Hindawi Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 7(6):1064-1069, (2013).
Impact/Purpose:
Nanosized zero valent iron is used to treat ground water contaminated with organic solvents (e.g., trichlorethylene). This material is basically pumped into the ground to treat the water. There is a potential of human consumption of ground water treated with these nanoparticles. There is no information on the oral absorption of nZVI. The objective of this study was to determine if these nanoparticles are absorbed by the oral route.
Description:
Zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) are used for in situ remediation of contaminated ground water, raising the possibility that nZVI particles or their altered residues could contaminate the ground water. Therefore, it is important to study their effects on humans and other organisms in vivo. The objective of this study was to assess the whole-body retention and terminal disposition of neutron-activated radioactive nZVI administered by oral gavage in mice. Radioactivity was primarily eliminated in the faeces within 1 day of administration. However, a small amount of iron-derived radioactivity appeared in the liver after three repeated daily doses. This prototypic study further suggests that neutron activation applied judiciously may be broadly applicable to studies of nanoparticles derived from other biologically abundant metals.