Due to development of nanotechnology and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) increasing use in different areas of medicine, especially in oncology, better understanding of their potential cytotoxicity is necessary to protect patients safety. Shape and size of AuNPs is an important modulator of their cytotoxicity. Therefore, we investigated the cytotoxicity of AuNPs rods (≈39 nm length, 18 nm width), AuNPs stars (≈ 215 nm) and AuNPs spheres (≈ 6.3 nm) against human fetal osteoblast (hFOB 1.19), osteosarcoma (143B, MG63) and pancreatic duct cell (hTERT-HPNE) lines by MTT and neutral-red uptake assay. Moreover, influence of AuNPs on level of proapoptotic protein (Bax) and anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) was measured by western blot. Cellular uptake of nanoparticles and ultrastructure changes were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the present study we have proven that AuNPs stars are the most cytotoxic against human cells. We observed that cancer cells are more susceptible to AuNPs cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, AuNPs rods and AuNPs stars caused increased expression of Bax and decreased expression of Bcl-2 protein in osteosarcoma cells. We found that AuNPs penetrated through the cell membrane and caused ultrastructural changes. Our results clearly demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of AuNPs was shape-dependent. AuNPs stars with the highest anti-cancer potential were also the most cytotoxic type of tested NPs, whereas AuNPs spheres which appears to be the safest one had small anti-cancer potential.

Purpose: Periodontal disease (PD), defined as oral inflammation caused by dental plaque, is an emerging problem. PD may lead to tooth loss, and treatment options are limited. In this study, we designed, synthesized, and characterized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) conjugated with chlorhexidine (AgNPs-CHL) or metronidazole (AgNPs-PEG-MET) to determine whether they can be used to treat PDs. Materials and Methods: AgNPs were synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis spectrometry, thermogravimetric analyses, and dynamic light scattering. We determined the safety and the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of synthesized AgNPs in an in vitro model of periodontitis. Antimicrobial properties were determined by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) on reference strains of bacteria and fungi. Human gingival fibroblast (HGF-1), murine macrophage (RAW264.7) and human foetal osteoblast (hFOB1.19) cells were used in the study. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation. Cytokine levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; metalloproteinase expression was measured using Western blotting. Results: The synthesized AgNPs were spherical and narrow-dispersed with an average diameter of 13.4 nm ± 3.0 nm in the case of AgNPs-CHL and 3.72 nm ± 0.72 nm in the case of AgNPs-PEG-MET. Both types of AgNPs were active against bacteria and fungi. AgNPs-CHL proved to be a more potent antimicrobial agent, although they were more cytotoxic than AgNPs-PEG-MET; however, both demonstrated beneficial properties in nontoxic concentrations. AgNPs-CHL and AgNPs-PEG-MET decreased the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα. Both agents also decreased the levels of metalloproteinases MMP3 and MMP8, which may indicate that they will inhibit tissue degradation. Conclusion: AgNPs-CHL and AgNPs-PEG-MET may be possible therapeutic options for PD, as they have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, to fully understand the potential of AgNPs, our in vitro findings must be evaluated in an in vivo model.

Due to the high toxicity of currently used chemotherapeutics, novel methods of cancer treatment are needed. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) seem to be an interesting alternative due to penetration through biological membranes and systemic barriers. AuNPs as carriers of chemotherapeutics allow for reduced concentrations whilst maintaining the expected effect, and thus reducing the costs of therapy and adverse effects. We synthesized AuNPs stabilized with reduced glutathione (GSH) and conjugated with doxorubicin (DOX), gemcitabine (GEM) or cytarabine (CTA). This is the first study in which cytarabine-AuNPs were synthesized and characterized. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to chemically characterize obtained nanoparticles. Antitumor activity and safety of application were assessed by MTT assay in in vitro model (human osteosarcoma cells -143B, human osteoblast- hFOB1.19, breast cancer cells - MCF7, breast epithelial cells - MCF10A, pancreatic cancer cells - PANC-1, and pancreatic cells - hTERT-HPNE cells). We have shown that cellular response varies according to the type and concentration of AuNPs. At some concentrations, we were able to show selective cytotoxicity of our AuNPs conjugates only to cancer cell lines. Synthesized nanoparticles were more cytotoxic to tumor cell lines than chemotherapeutics alone.

Materials sized 1–100 nm are the nanotechnology’s field of interest. Because of the unique properties such as the ability to penetrate biological barriers and a high surface to volume ratio, nanoparticles (NPs) are a powerful tool to be used in medicine and industry. This review discusses the role of nanotechnology in bone-related issues: osteosarcoma (bone cancer), the biocompatibility of the implants and implant-related infections. In cancer therapy, NPs can be used as (I) cytotoxic agents, (II) drug delivery platforms and (III) in thermotherapy. In implant-related issues, NPs can be used as (I) antimicrobial agents and (II) adjuvants to increase the biocompatibility of implant surface. Properties of NPs depend on (I) the type of NPs, (II) their size, (III) shape, (IV) concentration, (V) incubation time, (VI) functionalization and (VII) capping agent type.

Implant-related infections are an emerging clinical and economic problem. Therefore, we decided to assess potential clinical usefulness and safety of silver orthophosphate microparticles (SOMPs) regarding their shape. We synthesized and then assessed antimicrobial properties and potential cytotoxicity of six shapes of SOMPs (tetrapod, cubes, spheres, tetrahedrons, branched, and rhombic dodecahedron). We found that SOMPs had a high antimicrobial effect; they were more efficient against fungi than bacteria. SOMPs exerted an antimicrobial effect in concentrations not toxic to mammalian cells: human fetal osteoblast (hFOB1.19), osteosarcoma (Saos-2), mouse preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1), skin fibroblast (HDF), and mouse myoblast (C2C12). At higher concentration SOMPs, induced shape- and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity (according to MTT and BrdU assays). Tetrapod SOMPs had the smallest effect, whereas cubical SOMPs, the highest on cell viability. hFOB1.19 were the most resistant cells and C2C12, the most susceptible ones. We have proven that the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation is involved in the cytotoxic mechanism of SOMPs. After treatment with microparticles, we observed changes in levels of reactive oxygen species, first-line defense antioxidants-superoxide dismutase (SOD1, SOD3), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX4), metalloproteinase (MMP1, MMP3), and NF-κB protein. Neither cell cycle distribution nor ultrastructure was altered as determined by flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. In conclusion, silver orthophosphate may be a safe and effective antimicrobial agent on the implant surface. Spherical-shaped SOMPs are the most promising for biomedical application.

Human gastrointestinal cells can be exposed to different xenobiotics present in food or drinking water. In this work, we assessed the cytotoxicity of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) and how it is impacted by fluoride (F^-) presence. We decided to examine PS-NPs and F^- which can be easily found in drinking water and food. Commercially available amine-modified 100 nm PS-NPs were used in the study. Scanning Electron Microscopy with Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) were used to characterize PS-NPs. The colon cell lines (HT-29, Caco-2, CCD 841 CoN) were used. Cytotoxicity of PS-NPs and F^- alone or in co-exposition were assessed with MTT assay in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry was used to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to determine whether PS-NPs and/or F^- can cause ultrastructure changes in the cells. We have shown that PS-NPs are cytotoxic to human colon cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. PS-NPs did not impact neither intracellular ROS production nor the cells cell cycle distribution. However, if HT-29 cells were co-exposed to PS-NPs and F^-, an increased number of cells in G0/G1 phase and decreased number of cells in G2/M were observed. PS-NPs can cause apoptosis in HT-29 cells, this effect was enhanced if cells were co-exposed to PS-NP and F^-. PS-NPs were internalised by the cells and caused ultrastructure changes. Fluoride itself (1 mM) was not cytotoxic to the cells and did not cause any changes in the ultrastructure of the cells. We have proven that polystyrene nanoparticles can be cytotoxic to human gastrointestinal cells and this effect is enhanced by fluoride.