title: Effects of SiC nanoparticles orally administered in a rat model: biodistribution, toxicity and elemental composition changes in feces and organs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Silicon carbide (SiC) presents noteworthy properties as a material such as high hardness, thermal stability, and photoluminescent properties as a nanocrystal. However, there are very few studies in regard to the toxicological potential of SiC NPs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the toxicity and biodistribution of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles in an in vivo rat model after acute (24h) and subacute (28days) oral administrations. The acute doses were 0.5, 5, 50, 300 and 600mg·kg(-1), while the subacute doses were 0.5 and 50mg·kg(-1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  SiC biodistribution and elemental composition of feces and organs (liver, kidneys, and spleen) have been studied by Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). SiC and other elements in feces excretion increased by the end of the subacute assessment. SiC did not accumulate in organs but some elemental composition modifications were observed after the acute assessment. Histopathological sections from organs (stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys) indicate the absence of damage at all applied doses, in both assessments. A decrease in the concentration of urea in blood was found in the 50mg·kg(-1) group from the subacute assessment. No alterations in the urine parameters (sodium, potassium, osmolarity) were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study that assesses the toxicity, biodistribution, and composition changes in feces and organs of SiC nanoparticles in an in vivo rat model. SiC was excreted mostly in feces and low traces were retrieved in urine, indicating that SiC can cross the intestinal barrier. No sign of toxicity was however found after oral administration.
authors.affiliation: Namur Nanosafety Center (NNC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (FUNDP), Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium. omar.lozanogarcia@fundp.ac.be
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lozano
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laloy
authors.forename: Lütfiye
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alpan
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mejia
authors.forename: Stéphanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rolin
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Toussaint
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Dogné
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Masereel
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity*; D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity*; D004602:Elements; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017655:Silicon Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity*; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D017554:Carbon Compounds, Inorganic; D004602:Elements; D017655:Silicon Compounds; C022088:silicon carbide