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Review
10.
Nanotoxicology : An emerging discipline
- Sachin Kumar Jain, Y. P. Sahni, Neetu
Rajput and Vidhi Gautam
Veterinary World, 2011, 4(1) : 35-40
doi:
10.5455/vetworld.2011.35-40
Abstract
Nanotoxicology refers to the study of the interactions of
nanostructures with biological systems with an emphasis on
elucidating the relationship between the physical and chemical
properties of nanostructures with induction of toxic
biological responses. Nanotoxicology is aimed at providing
information on the potential toxicological effects, risk
assessment and safety evaluation of nanostructured materials
on human health. Nanoparticles present possible dangers, both
medically and environmentally. They are also able to pass
through cell membranes in organisms and their interactions
with biological systems are relatively unknown. Animal studies
have shown that nanoparticles can penetrate cells and tissues,
move through the body and brain and cause biochemical damage.
The greater chemical reactivity of nanomaterials result in
increased production of reactive oxygen species which may
contribute to similar patterns of cell injury and alterations
at the molecular level by initiation, propagation and
autocatalytic chain reactions. Intracellular signaling
activation and inactivation of enzymes, stimulation, secretion
and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and
nuclear factor activation and alteration are also common
events.
Keywords: Nanotoxicology, Nanomaterials, Reactive
oxygen species.
