Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) Nanoparticle Toxicity in a Caenorhabditis elegans Model

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Nanomaterial Safety
• Model Organism Research

Background:

• Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used but poses toxicity risks.
• Nanoparticle forms (TiO2 NPs) require thorough safety assessment.
• The nematode C. elegans is a valuable model for toxicity studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the toxicity of commercially available (C-TiO2) and synthetically prepared (S-TiO2) titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs).
• To investigate the effects of TiO2 NPs on various biological parameters in the C. elegans model.
• To compare the relative toxicities of C-TiO2 and S-TiO2.

Main Methods:

• Exposure of C. elegans to varying concentrations of C-TiO2 and S-TiO2.
• Assessment of lethality, lifespan, growth, reproduction, and locomotion.
• Analysis of gene expression (sod-1, sod-3, ctl-1, ctl-2, cyp35A2, mlt-1, mlt-2) in response to TiO2 NP exposure.

Main Results:

• No significant impact on survival rate or body length observed.
• Dose-dependent decrease in reproduction (brood size) and locomotion.
• Shortened lifespan in nematodes exposed to TiO2 NPs.
• Overexpression of specific genes (sod-1, sod-3, ctl-1, ctl-2, cyp35A2, mlt-1, mlt-2) at higher concentrations.

Conclusions:

• TiO2 NPs adversely affect C. elegans reproduction, locomotion, and lifespan.
• Commercially available TiO2 NPs demonstrated potentially higher toxicity or genotoxicity compared to synthetic TiO2 NPs.
• Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms of TiO2 NP toxicity.