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Comparative bio-effects of SiO2/Gd2O3 nanoparticles depending on their core-shell structures
Mingyi Zhang1, Lin Xia, Zhanjun Gu
1CAS Key Lab for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
|May 8, 2013
Summary
Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) can harm human health. SiO2/Gd2O3 NPs showed significant DNA damage, with smaller core sizes causing greater effects, highlighting core size as a key factor in NP toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Toxicology
Background:
- Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) pose potential human health risks.
- Understanding NP toxicity is crucial for safe application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the DNA damaging effects of SiO2/Gd2O3 core-shell nanoparticles.
- To determine the influence of NP size (overall and core) on toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of SiO2/Gd2O3 NPs via polyol route.
- Assessment of DNA damage using single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE).
- Analysis of protein expression (p53) via immunoblotting.
Main Results:
- SiO2/Gd2O3 NPs did not cause significant cell death at 10 microg/mL.
- Prominent DNA damage observed with 120 nm overall sized NPs.
- NPs with a 20 nm core size induced greater DNA damage than those with a 50 nm core size.
- DNA damage linked to oxide pyridine; p53 protein activation observed.
Conclusions:
- Core size, not just overall size, influences the adverse effects of core-shell NPs.
- These findings offer insights into nanoparticle-induced DNA damage mechanisms.

