Analytical-Based Methodologies for Examining the In Vitro Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination...

The clinical applications of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) remain limited due to the lack of well-established methodologies for studying their nanokinetics. Hereby, the primary goal is to adapt a suite of analytical-based methodologies for examining the in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of AgNPs. Vero 76 and HEK 293 cells are exposed to ≈10-nm spherical AgNPs⁺ and AgNPs^- at relevant concentrations (0-300 µg mL^-1 ) and times (4-48 h). Absorption: Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) demonstrates that the two AgNP formulations are not bioequivalent. For example, different bioavailabilities (C_maximum < 20.7 ± 4% and 6.82 ± 0.4%), absorption times (T_maximum > 48 and ≈24 h), and absorption rate laws (first- and zeroth-order at 300 µg mL^-1 ) are determined in Vero 76 for AgNPs⁺ and AgNPs^- , respectively. Distribution: Raman and CytoViva hyperspectral imaging show different cellular localizations for AgNPs⁺ and AgNPs^- . Metabolism: Cloud point extraction (CPE)-tangential flow filtration (TFF) reveal that ≤ 11% ± 4% of the administered, sublethal AgNPs release Ag⁺ and contribute to the observed cytotoxicity. Elimination: ICP-OES-CPE suggests that AgNPs are cleared via exocytosis.