In vitro cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles on human periodontal fibroblasts.
Silver nanoparticles (NNPs) are extensively used for all kinds of antimicrobial applications in medical research. Their efficacy has been demonstrated against Streptococcus mutans, which is associated with dental caries. However their cytotoxic effects on human periodontal tissue are not completely understood.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible toxic cellular effects of different concentrations and sizes of silver nanoparticles, less than 10 nm, 15-20 nm, and 80-100 nm, respectively, on human periodontal fibroblasts.


METHODS
Primary culture cells isolated from human periodontal tissue were exposed to 0-1,000 microM silver nanoparticles of each size for 24-, 72-, and 168-hour periods. Cytotoxicity was evaluated with a nonradioactive, soluble MTS/PMS assay.


RESULTS
The results demonstrated that silver nanoparticles of less than 20 nm increased cytotoxicity in human periodontal fibroblasts in a dose- and time-dependent manner.


CONCLUSIONS
The 80-100-nm-sized nanoparticles did not modify the viability of human primary culture cells.
Clinical Epidemiology Postgraduate Program, Facultad de Medicina, the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosi, México.
Juan Francisco
JF
Hernández-Sierra
Othir
O
Galicia-Cruz
Salinas-Acosta
SA
Angélica
Facundo
F
Ruiz
Mauricio
M
Pierdant-Pérez
Amaury J
AJ
Pozos-Guillén
D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D012834:Silver / Q000633:toxicity*
D012834:Silver