Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide–Cerium Oxide Nanocomposites to Zebrafish Embryos: A Preliminary Evaluation
The widespread use of metal nanoparticles in different fields has raised many doubts regarding their possible toxicity to living organisms and the accumulation and discharge of metals in fish species. Among these nanoparticles, titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) and cerium oxide (CeO<...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-12-01
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| Series: | Toxics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/12/994 |
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| author | Roberta Pecoraro Elena Maria Scalisi Stefania Indelicato Martina Contino Giuliana Coco Ilenia Stancanelli Fabiano Capparucci Roberto Fiorenza Maria Violetta Brundo |
| author_facet | Roberta Pecoraro Elena Maria Scalisi Stefania Indelicato Martina Contino Giuliana Coco Ilenia Stancanelli Fabiano Capparucci Roberto Fiorenza Maria Violetta Brundo |
| author_sort | Roberta Pecoraro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The widespread use of metal nanoparticles in different fields has raised many doubts regarding their possible toxicity to living organisms and the accumulation and discharge of metals in fish species. Among these nanoparticles, titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) and cerium oxide (CeO<sub>2</sub>) nanoparticles have mainly been employed in photocatalysis and water depuration. The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential toxic effects, after a co-exposure of TiO<sub>2</sub>-3%CeO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles, on zebrafish development, using an acute toxicity test. Increasing concentrations of TiO<sub>2</sub>-3%CeO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles were used (0.1-1-10-20 mg/L). The heartbeat rate was assessed using Danioscope<sup>TM</sup> software (version 1.2) (Noldus, Leesburg, VA, USA), and the responses to two biomarkers of exposure (Heat shock proteins-70 and Metallothioneins) were evaluated through immunofluorescence. Our results showed that the co-exposure to TiO<sub>2</sub>-3%CeO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles did not affect the embryos’ development compared to the control group; a significant difference (<i>p</i> < 0.05) at 48 hpf heartbeat for the 1, 10, and 20 mg/L groups was found compared to the unexposed group. A statistically significant response (<i>p</i> < 0.05) to Heat shock proteins-70 (Hsp70) was shown for the 0.1 and 1 mg/L groups, while no positivity was observed in all the exposed groups for Metallothioneins (MTs). These results suggest that TiO<sub>2</sub>-3%CeO<sub>2</sub> nanocomposites do not induce developmental toxicity; instead, when considered separately, TiO<sub>2</sub> and CeO<sub>2</sub> NPs are harmful to zebrafish embryos, as previously shown. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:19:35Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ec70ef65695d4e1ba6aa33c447ce8395 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2305-6304 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:19:35Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxics |
| spelling | doaj.art-ec70ef65695d4e1ba6aa33c447ce83952023-12-22T14:46:05ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042023-12-01111299410.3390/toxics11120994Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide–Cerium Oxide Nanocomposites to Zebrafish Embryos: A Preliminary EvaluationRoberta Pecoraro0Elena Maria Scalisi1Stefania Indelicato2Martina Contino3Giuliana Coco4Ilenia Stancanelli5Fabiano Capparucci6Roberto Fiorenza7Maria Violetta Brundo8Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Via F. Stagno D’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, ItalyDepartment of Chemical Sciences, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biological, Geological and Environmental Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, ItalyThe widespread use of metal nanoparticles in different fields has raised many doubts regarding their possible toxicity to living organisms and the accumulation and discharge of metals in fish species. Among these nanoparticles, titanium dioxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) and cerium oxide (CeO<sub>2</sub>) nanoparticles have mainly been employed in photocatalysis and water depuration. The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential toxic effects, after a co-exposure of TiO<sub>2</sub>-3%CeO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles, on zebrafish development, using an acute toxicity test. Increasing concentrations of TiO<sub>2</sub>-3%CeO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles were used (0.1-1-10-20 mg/L). The heartbeat rate was assessed using Danioscope<sup>TM</sup> software (version 1.2) (Noldus, Leesburg, VA, USA), and the responses to two biomarkers of exposure (Heat shock proteins-70 and Metallothioneins) were evaluated through immunofluorescence. Our results showed that the co-exposure to TiO<sub>2</sub>-3%CeO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles did not affect the embryos’ development compared to the control group; a significant difference (<i>p</i> < 0.05) at 48 hpf heartbeat for the 1, 10, and 20 mg/L groups was found compared to the unexposed group. A statistically significant response (<i>p</i> < 0.05) to Heat shock proteins-70 (Hsp70) was shown for the 0.1 and 1 mg/L groups, while no positivity was observed in all the exposed groups for Metallothioneins (MTs). These results suggest that TiO<sub>2</sub>-3%CeO<sub>2</sub> nanocomposites do not induce developmental toxicity; instead, when considered separately, TiO<sub>2</sub> and CeO<sub>2</sub> NPs are harmful to zebrafish embryos, as previously shown.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/12/994<i>Danio rerio</i>ZFETcardiotoxicityengineered nanoparticles |
| spellingShingle | Roberta Pecoraro Elena Maria Scalisi Stefania Indelicato Martina Contino Giuliana Coco Ilenia Stancanelli Fabiano Capparucci Roberto Fiorenza Maria Violetta Brundo Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide–Cerium Oxide Nanocomposites to Zebrafish Embryos: A Preliminary Evaluation Toxics <i>Danio rerio</i> ZFET cardiotoxicity engineered nanoparticles |
| title | Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide–Cerium Oxide Nanocomposites to Zebrafish Embryos: A Preliminary Evaluation |
| title_full | Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide–Cerium Oxide Nanocomposites to Zebrafish Embryos: A Preliminary Evaluation |
| title_fullStr | Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide–Cerium Oxide Nanocomposites to Zebrafish Embryos: A Preliminary Evaluation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide–Cerium Oxide Nanocomposites to Zebrafish Embryos: A Preliminary Evaluation |
| title_short | Toxicity of Titanium Dioxide–Cerium Oxide Nanocomposites to Zebrafish Embryos: A Preliminary Evaluation |
| title_sort | toxicity of titanium dioxide cerium oxide nanocomposites to zebrafish embryos a preliminary evaluation |
| topic | <i>Danio rerio</i> ZFET cardiotoxicity engineered nanoparticles |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/11/12/994 |
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