Immunotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in an intravenous 28-day repeated-dose toxicity study in rats.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Nanosilver is used in a variety of medical and consumer products because of its antibacterial activity. This wide application results in an increased human exposure. Knowledge on the systemic toxicity of nanosilver is, however, relatively scarce. In a previous study, the systemic toxicity of 20 nm silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP) was studied in a 28-day repeated-dose toxicity study in rats. Ag-NP were intravenously administered with a maximum dose of 6 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day. Several immune parameters were affected: reduced thymus weight, increased spleen weight and spleen cell number, a strongly reduced NK cell activity, and reduced IFN-γ production were observed.

Methods

Prompted by these affected immune parameters, we wished to assess exposure effects on the fu

SUBMITTER: Vandebriel RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4052812 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature