title: Lysosomes involved in the cellular toxicity of nano-alumina: combined effects of particle size and chemical composition.
abstract: Nowadays, manufactured nano-particles of aluminum oxide (nano-alumina) have been widely used in many fields with the rapidly developed nano-technology, but their basic toxic data are scarce. It is believed that the smaller nano-particles are able to easily cross the bio-membrane and quickly reach cellular compartments rather than micro-size particles, thus showing more toxic effects. The aim of this study was to compare the toxicity of nano- and micro- particles of alumina for detecting particle size related toxicity, and to compare the toxicity of nano-alumina and nano-carbon with the same particle size for determining chemical composition related toxicity. The present study revealed that nano-particles of alumina were much toxic than micro-alumina particles, indicating a particle size related toxicity; and were much more toxic than nano-carbon particles as well, manifesting a chemical related toxicity. The mechanism might be concerned with the involvement of the lysosomes. In conclusion, toxicity of nano-alumina is a combination of the toxic effects of its particle size and chemical composition.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabbioni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piao
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Gioacchino
authors.forename: Q
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Niu
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000502:physiology*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000537:Aluminum Oxide