Lack of genotoxic potential of ZnO nanoparticles in in vitro and in vivo tests.
The industrial application of nanotechnology, particularly using zinc oxide (ZnO), has grown rapidly, including products such as cosmetics, food, rubber, paints, and plastics. However, despite increasing population exposure to ZnO, its potential genotoxicity remains controversial. The biological effects of nanoparticles depend on their physicochemical properties. Preparations with well-defined physico-chemical properties and standardized test methods are required for assessing the genotoxicity of nanoparticles. In this study, we have evaluated the genotoxicity of four kinds of ZnO nanoparticles: 20nm and 70nm size, positively or negatively charged. Four different genotoxicity tests (bacterial mutagenicity assay, in vitro chromosomal aberration test, in vivo comet assay, and in vivo micronucleus test, were conducted, following Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) test guidelines with good laboratory practice (GLP) procedures. No statistically significant differences from the solvent controls were observed. These results suggest that surface-modified ZnO nanoparticles do not induce genotoxicity in in vitro or in vivo test systems.
Department of Life Science, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Dongguk University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
Jee Young
JY
Kwon
Korea Testing and Research Institute, Seoul, South Korea; College of Veterinary Medicine Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.
Seung Young
SY
Lee
Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Phuttamonthon District, NakhonPathom 73170, Thailand.
Preeyaporn
P
Koedrith
Korea Testing and Research Institute, Seoul, South Korea.
Jong Yun
JY
Lee
Department of Chemistry and Medical Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwondo, South Korea.
Kyoung-Min
KM
Kim
Department of Chemistry and Medical Chemistry, College of Science and Technology, Yonsei University, Wonju, Gangwondo, South Korea.
Jae-Min
JM
Oh
Department of Applied Chemistry, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, South Korea.
Sung Ik
SI
Yang
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Meyoung-Kon
MK
Kim
Toxicological Research Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS), Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.
Jong Kwon
JK
Lee
Toxicological Research Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS), Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.
Jayoung
J
Jeong
Korea Testing and Research Institute, Seoul, South Korea.
Eun Ho
EH
Maeng
College of Veterinary Medicine Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea.
Beam Jun
BJ
Lee
Department of Life Science, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Dongguk University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: seoyr@dongguk.edu.
Young Rok
YR
Seo
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000379:methods; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D004249:DNA Damage; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000633:toxicity*
D015034:Zinc Oxide
Genotoxicity test; Good laboratory practice; Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development test guideline; Zinc oxide nanoparticles