Facilitation of trace metal uptake in cells by inulin coating of metallic nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT: Trace elements such as zinc and iron are essential for the proper function of biochemical processes, and their uptake and bioavailability are dependent on their chemical form. Supplementation of trace metals through nanostructured materials is a new field, but its application raises concerns regarding their toxicity. Here, we compared the intracellular zinc uptake of different sources of zinc: zinc sulfate, and ZnO and core-shell α-Fe₂O₃@ZnO nanoparticles, coated or uncoated with inulin, an edible and biocompatible polysaccharide. Using mussel haemocytes, a well-known model system to assess nanomaterial toxicity, we simultaneously assessed zinc accumulation and multiple cellular response endpoints. We found that intracellular zinc uptake was strongly enhanced b

SUBMITTER: Santillan-Urquiza E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5627095 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature