Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Imaging Approaches to Assessments of Toxicological Oxidative Stress Using Genetically-encoded Fluorogenic Sensors
Published on: February 7, 2018
Metabolomics approach to study in vivo toxicity of graphene oxide nanosheets
Leila Ghiasvand Mohammadkhani1, Maryam Khoshkam2, Mohsen Kompany-Zareh1,3
1Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran.
Abstract:
Although graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets are widely used in different fields, the mechanism of their toxicity remains relatively unknown. NMR-based metabolomics was used to study in vivo time and dose-dependent toxicity of GO nanosheets in mice. Sixty serum samples from mice in four different time intervals including 24 and 72 h and 7 and 21 days after injection of 0-, 1-, and 10-mg/kg b.w. were analyzed based on 1 HNMR spectra of each sample and multivariate methods. In comparison with the control group, 12 changed metabolites were identified in GO nanosheet-treated mice groups. These metabolites are involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis and steroid biosynthesis pathways. It was seen that the time factor is more important than the dose factor and the groups were separated in a time direction, completely. We found that GO nanosheets has toxicity and can affect steroidal hormones. However, this study shows that after 21 days, the treated groups regardless of their GO nanosheet dose are very close to the control group. This means that in one step exposure to GO nanosheets, their toxicity diminished after 21 days.
Insights
Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets impact steroid hormone pathways, but toxicity diminishes within 21 days. This study reveals time is a key factor in GO nanosheet toxicity in mice.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets are utilized across various applications.
- The precise mechanisms underlying GO nanosheet toxicity are not fully understood.
- Investigating GO's biological impact is crucial for safe application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the in vivo toxicity of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets.
- To examine the time- and dose-dependent effects of GO nanosheets on mouse serum metabolomics.
- To identify specific metabolic pathways affected by GO nanosheet exposure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics for serum sample analysis.
- Analyzed 60 serum samples from mice exposed to varying doses (0, 1, 10 mg/kg) of GO nanosheets.
- Employed multivariate statistical methods to analyze 1HNMR spectra over four time intervals (24h, 72h, 7 days, 21 days).
Main Results:
- Identified 12 altered metabolites in GO nanosheet-treated mice compared to controls.
- Affected metabolites are primarily involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis and steroid biosynthesis pathways.
- Observed that the time elapsed post-injection was a more significant factor than the dose of GO nanosheets.
- Toxicity effects diminished significantly by 21 days post-exposure, with treated groups nearing control levels.
Conclusions:
- Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets exhibit toxicity that affects steroidal hormone metabolism in vivo.
- The toxicity of GO nanosheets is time-dependent, with effects largely resolving within 21 days.
- This suggests a transient impact of single-dose GO nanosheet exposure on metabolic pathways.
