[Modification of silicon nanoparticles with silver or gold attenuates its biocompatibility in vitro]

The effects of crystalline silicon nanoparticles covered with gold or silver on the viability and state of organelles of cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells have been investigated. Exposure to nanosized Si, Si/Ag, Si/Au provoked an increase in the leved of reactive oxygen species in the cells, but did not cause significant reduction in cell viability. Si/Au nanoparticles reduced activity of lysosomes and mitochondria, Si/Ag--only mitochondria. We have concluded that the surface modification by gold or silver may reduce the biocom-atibility of the crystalline silicon nanoparticles.