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A Pleural Effusion Model in Rats by Intratracheal Instillation of Polyacrylate/Nanosilica
Published on: April 12, 2019
Oral intake of silica nanoparticles exacerbates intestinal inflammation
Takao Ogawa1, Ryu Okumura2, Kazuya Nagano3
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan; WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan; Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Abstract:
Nanoparticles, i.e., particles with a diameter of ≤100 nm regardless of their composing material, are added to various foods as moisturizers, coloring agents, and preservatives. Silicon dioxide (SiO2, silica) nanoparticles in particular are widely used as food additives. However, the influence of SiO2 nanoparticle oral consumption on intestinal homeostasis remains unclear. The daily intake of 10-nm-sized SiO2 nanoparticles exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, whereas the daily intake of 30-nm-sized SiO2 nanoparticles has no influence on intestinal inflammation. The exacerbation of colitis induced by consuming 10-nm-sized SiO2 nanoparticles was abolished in mice deficient in apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC). Our study indicates that the oral intake of small SiO2 nanoparticles poses a risk for worsening intestinal inflammation through activation of the ASC inflammasome.
