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Published on: October 9, 2012
Cardiotoxicity of Intravenously Administered CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots in BALB/c Mice
Li Li1,2, Jinglin Tian1, Xiaomei Wang1
1Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
Abstract:
Since CdSe quantum dots (QDs) are increasingly used in electronics, medical, and pharmaceutical science due to their excellent optical properties, it is necessary to carry out thorough and systematic studies on their biosafety. Numerous studies have reported the toxicity of QDs on liver, kidney, immune system, and reproductive system. However, few studies have been done on the cardiotoxicity of QDs. In this study, we administered carboxylated CdSe/ZnS QDs in BALB/c mice via the tail vein and analyzed the in vivo cardiotoxicity of CdSe/ZnS QDs. The body weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, histology, heart elements concentration, echocardiography, and heart oxidative stress markers were carried out at different time. There were no significant differences in body weight and heart organ index between QDs group and the control group. Hematology results showed the platelet (PLT) counts on Day 1 and Day 42 in both high dose QDs group and low dose QDs group, and the PLT counts on Day1 in the high dose group were significantly higher than that in control group. Serum biochemistry results showed that lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) of mice exposed to CdSe/ZnS QDs were significantly higher than that of the control group on Day 1, and CK-MB levels still remained high on Day 7. A higher concentration of Cd was observed in the heart of CdSe/ZnS QDs exposed mice on Day 42, whereas no Cd was detected in the control group, which suggested that QDs can accumulate in heart. No significant histopathological changes and cardiac function were observed in all mice at different time after treatment. Increased level of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed in mice administered with high dose QDs on Day 1, and increased level of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and MDA activities was observed on Day 42. These results indicated that CdSe/ZnS QDs could accumulate in heart, cause some biochemical indicators change, induce oxidative damage, and have cardiotoxicity. Our findings might provide valuable information on the biological safety evaluation of the cardiovascular system of QDs.
Insights
This study investigated the cardiotoxicity of cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide quantum dots (CdSe/ZnS QDs) in mice. Results indicate CdSe/ZnS QDs accumulate in the heart, causing oxidative damage and altering biochemical markers, suggesting potential cardiovascular risks.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology and Materials Science
- Toxicology and Pharmacology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide quantum dots (CdSe/ZnS QDs) possess valuable optical properties for diverse applications.
- Growing use of QDs necessitates comprehensive biosafety evaluations, particularly concerning cardiotoxicity, which is understudied.
- Previous research highlighted QD toxicity in various organs, but cardiac effects remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically investigate the in vivo cardiotoxicity of carboxylated CdSe/ZnS QDs.
- To assess the impact of CdSe/ZnS QDs on cardiac function, histology, and oxidative stress markers in mice.
- To determine the potential accumulation of QDs in cardiac tissue.
Main Methods:
- Administration of carboxylated CdSe/ZnS QDs via tail vein injection in BALB/c mice.
- Comprehensive analysis including body weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, histology, heart element concentration, echocardiography, and oxidative stress markers.
- Evaluation at multiple time points post-administration (Day 1, Day 7, Day 42).
Main Results:
- CdSe/ZnS QDs accumulated in the heart, evidenced by increased cadmium concentration.
- Significant alterations in platelet counts and elevated cardiac enzyme levels (LDH, CK, CK-MB) were observed.
- Increased oxidative stress markers (GPx, MDA, T-AOC) indicated cellular damage, despite no significant changes in cardiac histology or function.
Conclusions:
- CdSe/ZnS QDs exhibit cardiotoxicity by accumulating in the heart, inducing oxidative damage, and altering key biochemical indicators.
- Findings suggest potential cardiovascular risks associated with CdSe/ZnS QD exposure.
- This study provides crucial data for the biological safety assessment of QDs concerning the cardiovascular system.
