Black phosphorus quantum dots induce lipid accumulation through PPARγ activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in...

Area of Science:

• Nanomaterials Science
• Toxicology
• Metabolic Research

Background:

• Black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) show promise in various applications, especially biomedicine.
• The impact of BPQDs on lipid metabolism and obesity is not well understood.
• Investigating long-term exposure effects is crucial for biosafety and sustainable nanotechnology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of BPQDs on lipid metabolism and adipose tissue function.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of BPQD-induced metabolic alterations.
• To assess the potential obesogenic effects and health risks of BPQDs.

Main Methods:

• Mice were orally exposed to BPQDs (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) for 28 days.
• In vitro studies used white (3T3-L1) and brown adipocytes exposed to BPQDs.
• Assays included lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and gene expression analysis (PPARγ, UCP1).

Main Results:

• BPQD exposure in mice reduced insulin sensitivity and altered adipose tissue function.
• In vitro, BPQDs induced lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and upregulated lipogenic genes in white adipocytes.
• BPQDs impaired mitochondrial function and downregulated thermogenic genes in brown adipocytes, effects partially mediated by ROS.

Conclusions:

• BPQDs can induce oxidative stress, leading to lipid accumulation possibly via PPARγ activation and mitochondrial dysfunction in adipose tissues.
• BPQDs exhibit potential obesogenic effects, posing health risks to humans.
• Findings provide critical insights for the biosafety and sustainable development of black phosphorus nanomaterials.