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Updated: May 10, 2026
14:53
In Situ Detection and Single Cell Quantification of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Using Nuclear Microprobe Analysis
Published on: February 3, 2018
Nanoparticles: toxicity, radicals, electron transfer, and antioxidants
Peter Kovacic1, Ratnasamy Somanathan
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|June 7, 2013
Summary
Nanoparticles exhibit bioactivity through electron transfer (ET), generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causing oxidative stress (OS) or acting as antioxidants (AOs). This framework explains their toxicity and therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Nanoparticles are increasingly utilized in research and technology due to their unique properties.
- Their bioactivity is linked to small particle size and inherent chemical activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent developments in nanoparticle research.
- To explain nanoparticle mechanisms of toxicity, therapeutic action, and antioxidant properties.
- To discuss cell signaling in relation to nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- The review focuses on the electron transfer–reactive oxygen species–oxidative stress (ET-ROS-OS) framework.
- Analysis of various electron transfer (ET) functionalities in nanoparticles.
- Discussion of nanoparticle interactions with biological systems.
Main Results:
- Nanoparticles act as electron transfer (ET) agents, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causing oxidative stress (OS).
- They can also function as antioxidants (AOs), mitigating oxidative damage.
- Metal compounds represent the most common class of ET functionalities in nanospecies.
Conclusions:
- The ET-ROS-OS-AO framework provides a unified approach to understanding nanoparticle bioactivity.
- This framework is crucial for elucidating nanoparticle toxicity and therapeutic applications.
- Further research based on this framework can advance nanoparticle-based technologies.
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