Zinc oxide nanoparticles induce programmed cell death in neural stem cells. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Nanosized zinc oxide particles induce neural stem cell apoptosis.
Nanotechnology. 2009 Mar 18;20(11):115101. Epub 2009 Feb 24. PMID: 19420431
Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China.
Given the intensive application of nanoscale zinc oxide (ZnO) materials in our life, growing concerns have arisen about its unintentional health and environmental impacts. In this study, the neurotoxicity of different sized ZnO nanoparticles in mouse neural stem cells (NSCs) was investigated. A cell viability assay indicated that ZnO nanoparticles manifested dose-dependent, but no size-dependent toxic effects on NSCs. Apoptotic cells were observed and analyzed by confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy examination, and flow cytometry. All the results support the viewpoint that the ZnO nanoparticle toxicity comes from the dissolved Zn(2+) in the culture medium or inside cells. Our results highlight the need for caution during the use and disposal of ZnO manufactured nanomaterials to prevent the unintended environmental and health impacts.