engleski

Sex-related response of mice to silver nanoparticles after sub-acute exposure

Introduction The extensive use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) represents a public concern in regards to safety and health risk (1). Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been considered as one of the molecular initiating event linked to their mode of action (2 - 4). Some studies reported that adverse health effects of AgNPs could depend greatly on the formation of protein corona (5 - 8). We aimed to investigate the sex-related differences in the biodistribution and oxidative stress response in adult mice after sub-acute exposure to low-doses of polymer- vs. protein-stabilized AgNPs. Results Intact and gonadectomised male and female mice were treated intraperitoneally with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)- coated or transferrin (TRF)-coated AgNPs in a dose of 1 mg Ag/kg b.w. during 21 day. After treatment, the Ag levels and oxidative stress biomarkers were determined in different tissues. In addition, changes in steroid hormone (aldosterone, cortisone, corticosterone, testosterone, androstendione, progesterone, dehidroepiandrostendione and 11- deoxicorticosterone) serum levels were measured . Sex-related differences were observed in tested parameters in almost all tissues. Concentration of Ag was significantly higher in the liver of females compared to males, and in the lungs of intact males compared to gonadectomised group. The most evident difference was in lungs where female mice responded more intensively to AgNPs exposure. There were no significant differences in levels of hormones in the AgNP-exposed animals compared to controls. Conclusions The AgNP distribution and toxicity effects are sex-related. Protein corona did not prevent oxidative stress, but induced a sharper response compared to PVP-AgNPs.

AgNPs ; sex-related response ; in vivo

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