Purpose
One important aspect in searching for new compounds for the design of contrast agents is biocompatibility.
Therefore,
we investigated the biological impact of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on human microvascular endothelial cells in relation to their specific physicochemical properties.
To elucidate the impact of the surface composition,
nanoparticles with varying coatings were studied.
Furthermore,
the influence of crystal structure was evaluated by comparing anatase and rutile TiO2 nanoparticles.
Parts of this study are presented in [1].
Methods and Materials
TiO2 nanoparticle samples #1,
#3 and #4 (Table 1) were obtained from Merck KGaA (Germany; Eusolex® T [sample #1]; Eusolex® T-2000 [sample #3] and Eusolex® T-ECO [sample #4]).
Samples #2,
#5 and #6 were isolated from sun protection agents (sample #2: Babysmile Sonnenmilch (Win Cosmetic,
Germany); sample #5: Babylove Sonnencreme (dm-drogerie markt,
Germany) and sample #6: Ladival® Sonnenschutz Milch (Stada,
Germany)).
Fourier transform infrared measurement was used to determine the composition of the coating and secondary shell of the TiO2 nanoparticles.
The size and shape...
Results
Physicochemical properties of the used TiO2 nanoparticles
The anatase TiO2 nanoparticles were egg-shaped with a medium aspect ratio of 1.12 (according to the appropriate TEM images),
while the rutile nanoparticles were rod-like with aspect ratios up to 6.69 (Table 1).
DLS measurements revealed comparably higher nanoparticle sizes than observed by TEM indicating nanoparticle agglomeration.
All nanoparticles were negatively charged.
They were coated with simethicone (samples #1,
#2 and #6),
alumina (sample #5) or alumina-simethicone (samples #3 and #4).
Moreover,
two samples revealed a secondary shell...
Conclusion
The coated TiO2 nanoparticles investigated in this study led to comparatively slight effects on endothelial cells.
This is in line with a study on the impact of 70 nm TiO2 nanoparticles on the dehydrogenase activity of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells,
where an exposure to 5µg/ml or 50µg/ml TiO2 nanoparticles had no distinct effects [2].
Interestingly,
other studies with TiO2 nanoparticles showed a higher impact on endothelial cells,
e.g. TiO2 nanoparticles (96 % anatase /4% rutile; particle size<50nm; no surface coating mentioned) led to cell...
References
1.
Strobel C,
Torrano AA,
Herrmann R,
Malissek M,
Bräuchle C,
Reller A,
Treuel L,
Kaiser WA,
Hilger I.
Effects of the physicochemical properties of titanium dioxide nanoparticles,
commonly used as sun protection agents,
on microvascular endothelial cells.
Biomaterials 2013 (submitted)
2.
Peters K,
Unger RE,
Kirkpatrick CJ,
Gatti AM,
Monari E.
Effects of nano-scaled particles on endothelial cell function in vitro: Studies on viability,
proliferation and inflammation.
J.
Mater.
Sci.: Mater.
Med.
2004; 15: 321-325.
3.
Montiel-Dávalos A,
Ventura-Gallegos JL,
Alfaro-Moreno E,
Soria-Castro E,...
Personal Information
C.
Strobel,
W.
A.
Kaiser,
I.
Hilger.
Department of Experimental Radiology,
Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I,
Jena University Hospital – Friedrich Schiller University Jena,
Erlanger Allee 101,
07747 Jena,
Germany.
E-Mail:
[email protected]
A.
A.
Torrano,
C.
Bräuchle.
Department of Chemistry and Center for NanoScience (CeNS),
University of Munich (LMU),
Butenandtstraße 5-13 (E),
81377 Munich,
Germany.
R.
Herrmann.
Institute of Physics,
University of Augsburg,
Universitätsstraße 1,
86159 Augsburg,
Germany.
