In vivo testing for gold nanoparticle toxicity

Methods Mol Biol. 2013:1026:175-86. doi: 10.1007/978-1-62703-468-5_14.

Abstract

A technique for measuring the toxicity of nanomaterials using a murine model is described. Blood samples are collected via submandibular bleeding while urine samples are collected on cellophane sheets. Both biosamples are then analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for nanotoxicity. Blood samples are further tested for immunological response using a standard Coulter counter. The major organs of interest for filtration are also digested and analyzed via ICP-OES, producing useful information regarding target specificity of the nanomaterial of interest. Collection of the biosamples and analysis afterward is detailed, and the operation of the technique is described and illustrated by analysis of the nanotoxicity of an injection of a modified tiopronin monolayer-protected cluster.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Chemical Analysis
  • Blood Specimen Collection
  • Erythrocyte Count
  • Female
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Gold / toxicity*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Metal Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Species Specificity
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting
  • Toxicity Tests / methods*
  • Urinalysis
  • Urine Specimen Collection

Substances

  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Gold