Measured before dosing in distilled waterMulti-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) Size in solution
1. Introduction
Health effects of nanoparticles are attracting considerable and increasing concern of the public and government worldwide. Carbon nanotubes represent one of the fastest developing nanoparticle materials with production set to increase rapidly as a consequence of the useful properties of this material (Donaldson et al., 2006). The pulmonary toxicity of single-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes delivered at high doses and dose rates to the lower respiratory tract of rats and mice induced a high acute inflammatory response with granuloma formation and fibrosis as late effects (Warheit et al. 2004; Muller et al. 2005). However, the reports about toxicological research of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by the oral, dermal and ocular routes are not yet published. The oral, dermal and ocular routes represents an important portal of entries for MWCNT since several consumer which are on the market, already contain multi-walled carbon nanotubes.
Few studies provided only scanty insights into the interaction of MWCNT with the human body after entering via different portals. Hydroxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) administered by gavage in mice (100 µL of a 15 µg/mL solution) are distributed to most of the organs and tissues, except the brain (Wang et al., 2004). The study by Wang et al., (2004) shows in mice that the radiomarked hydroxylated singled-walled carbon nanotubes administered intraperitoneally (100 µL of a 15 µg/mL solution) are distributed throughout the body, except the brain, pass through several compartments and are retained in the bones. Monteiro-Riviere et al. (2005) found multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in the cytoplasmic vacuoles of human epidermal keratocytes in vitro (up to 3.6 µm long), a decrease in cell viability and a significant increase in an inflammation marker (interleukin-8). This demonstrates the capability of MWCNT to penetrate the cell membrane. Huczko and Lange (2001) studied the effects on the skin and eyes of exposure to carbon nanotubes. The application of a saturated filter of a solution containing nanotubes did not cause irritation or allergy in volunteers. Ocular instillation of an aqueous suspension of nanotubes in rabbits did not cause irritation.
In the light of the increased production and proposed use of MWCNT in consumer products, there is a need for screening the potential toxicity of these nanoparticles. In the present study, we have made an attempt to investigate the acute oral, dermal, acute dermal irritation, eye irritation and skin sensitization potential of two different sizes (140±30, 10-15nm) of MWCNT.
2. Materials and methods
2.1. Nanomaterials
Two different sizes of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT 1: 5–8 microns in length with 3–8nm inside diameter and outside diameter of 140±30 nm; Product No. 659258) and (MWCNT 2: 1–10 microns in length with 2–6nm inside diameter and outside diameter of 10–15 nm; Product No. 677248) purchased from Sigma–Aldrich, USA, were used to compare size dependent toxicity.
2.2. Particle-types and physicochemical characterization
The multi-walled carbon nanotubes used in the study was produced by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD). The MWCNT were composed of 99.9+% carbon with small amount (<0.1% Fe) of iron. The manufacturer specification for nanomaterial characterization was confirmed by the following techniques. MWCNT characteristics were assessed in the as-synthesized form prior to use for experiments or after dispersion in the vehicle (distilled water) for dosing. Solution characteristics were measured with dynamic light scattering (DLS).
2.2.1. Size, morphology
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes size was determined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this study, Hitachi S-520 SEM was used at an accelerating voltage of 10,000V after depositing the samples onto aluminum stubs with double-sided carbon adhesive tape. Over 100 particles were counted and measured to determine average sizes and size distributions.
2.2.2. Dynamic light scattering (DLS)
Particle size measurements in distilled water were determined with dynamic light scattering as described by Murdock et al. (2008) on a Malvern Instruments
Zetasizer. Photon correlation spectroscopy or DLS is an analytical technique capable of measuring the size of very small particles, at low sample concentrations.
2.3. Animals and housing conditions
Experimental animals were obtained from in house animal facility. All procedures using animals were reviewed and approved by the institutional animal ethics committee.
The healthy Wistar (Crl:WI) rats of both sex, aged between 8 to10 weeks and body weights of 200 – 250 g were used for oral and dermal studies respectively. Females were nulliparous and non pregnant. The animal’s parent stock was procured from Charles River, USA. Animals were housed in poly propylene cages with stainless steel grills, sieved and sterilized paddy husk used as bedding. Bedding material, cages, grills and water bottles were changed on alternate days. Animals were housed individually sex wise and group wise. Animals were acclimated for minimum period of five days in the controlled environment (temperature: 22±3º C; relative humidity: 50±20% and light: 12 h light/dark cycle) and
The following acute toxicity studies were conducted with two different sizes of MWCNT. A brief description of each of the test was provided in the methodology section below.
2.4. Acute oral toxicity test in Wistar rats
Acute oral toxicity –up and down procedure was conducted as per OECD 425 guidelines (OECD, 2006) with slight modifications in terms of usage of sexes and animal number. The limit test dose is selected (2000mg/kg b.w.) as per the OECD 425. A single dose of each test material (two different sizes of MWCNT) suspended in distilled water was administered by oral gavage to group of rats at a dose of 2000 mg/ kg b.w. with minimum of 48 h time interval. The test solution was prepared shortly prior to the administration. The dose volume maintained for all the groups was maximum 10 ml/kg b.w. Similarly, control group of animals (5 males and 5 females) were dosed in a sequential fashion with distilled water alone. Animals were observed for mortality/morbidity, clinical signs of toxicity and weekly body weight during the experimental period. Gross pathology was performed at the end of experimental period (day 14).
2.5. Acute dermal toxicity study in Wistar rats
The acute dermal toxicity test was conducted according to OECD 402 guidelines (OECD, 1987). A limit dose of 2000 mg/ kg b.w. of each test material (two different sizes of MWCNT) mixed with minimum volume (0.25ml) of distilled water was applied uniformly to a clipped 10% body surface area of different groups of rats comprising of 5 males and 5 females/ group. The test substance was held in contact with skin with a porous gauze dressing and bandaged with non-irritating adhesive tape up to 24 h. Following this, the residual test substance was wiped off gently from the skin using cotton soaked in water. Restrainer was used to prevent the ingestion of the test substance from the application site. Control group of animals (5 males and 5 females) were handled similarly without any treatment. Animals were observed for mortality/morbidity, clinical signs of toxicity and weekly body weight during the experimental period. Gross pathology was performed at the end of experimental period (day 14).
2.6. Acute dermal and eye irritation studies in New Zealand white rabbits
2.6.1. Animals and housing conditions
The female New Zealand white rabbits, 2.0 to 3.0 kilograms body weight ranges were used for dermal and eye irritation experiments. Females were nulliparous and non pregnant. Animals were housed individually in standard stainless steel cages and sterilized paddy husk as bedding. Bedding material was changed daily, whereas water bottles were changed on alternate days. Animals were acclimated for minimum period of five days in the controlled environment (temperature: 20±3º C; relative humidity: 50±20% and light: 12 h light/dark cycle) and
2.7. Acute dermal irritation study in New Zealand white rabbits
The acute dermal irritation test was conducted according to OECD 404 guidelines (OECD, 2002). A single dermal dose of 0.5 gram of each test material (two different sizes of MWCNT) moistened with minimum volume (0.25 ml) of distilled water was applied to a 6 cm2 clipped area of skin. The application area was covered with 2-ply gauze square which was held in place with non-irritating tape and covered with porous tape for a semi-occlusive dressing. The rabbits were exposed to the test substance for 4 h after which the test substance was removed. Test sites were evaluated by Draize score for signs of dermal irritation approximately 60 min, 24, 48, and 72 h after test substance removal. Initially test was carried out using one animal. The negative response was confirmed using two additional animals. After 72h of observation the animals were euthanized using carbon dioxide.
2.8. Acute eye irritation study in New Zealand white rabbits
The acute eye irritation/corrosion test was conducted according to OECD 405 guidelines (OECD, 2002). A single dose of 0.1 gram of each test material (two different sizes of MWCNT) was applied into the conjunctival sac of left eye of each animal after gently pulling the lower lid away from the eyeball. The lids were then gently held together for about one second in order to prevent loss of the material. The right eye, which remains untreated, served as control. Initially test was carried out using one animal. The eyes of the test animals were washed with distilled water at 24 hours following the application of test materials and the responses obtained in the initial test were confirmed with two additional animals in the confirmatory test. The conjunctiva, iris, and cornea of both treated and control eyes were evaluated and scored according to Draize method at the end of 1, 24, 48, and 72 h following application of the test materials.
2.9. Skin sensitization potential test in Guinea pigs
The Skin sensitization potential test in Guinea pigs was conducted according to OCED 406 guidelines (OECD, 1992). The Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs, 300 to 400 grams body weight ranges were used in the experiments. The treatment group consists of 20 males whereas control group consist 10 males. The test was conducted in two different sizes of MWCNT. Animals were housed individually in standard stainless steel cages and sterilized paddy husk as bedding. Bedding material was changed daily, whereas water bottles were changed on alternate days. Animals were acclimated for minimum period of five days in the controlled environment (temperature: 20±3º C; relative humidity: 50±20% and light: 12 h light/dark cycle) and
3. Results
3.1. Physicochemical characterization
3.1.1. Size
The average size of the MWCNT 1 is 166nm and MWCNT 2 is 100nm in SEM analysis. The morphology of the MWCNT (1 and 2) is open or closed tube. The MWCNT formed compact aggregates, making it difficult to determine individual particle size by SEM; however, a rough estimate for average size of the MWCNT 1 is 166nm and MWCNT 2 is 100nm (Figures 1(a) –(d))
3.1.2. Dynamic light scattering
The solution properties of nanomaterials (two different sizes of MWCNT) in distilled water were examined for changes in size due to agglomeration with dynamic light scattering (Murdock et al., 2008). Average size was calculated by the software from the intensity, volume and number distributions measured (Table 1). The polydispersity index (PDI) given is a measure of the size ranges present in the solution with a scale ranging from 0 to 1, with 0 being monodisperse and 1 being polydisperse (Wagner et al., 2007). The DLS results illustrate that depending on the material, once the nanomaterials are in solution they do not necessarily retain their “nano-size”(Murdock et al., 2008). The average size values(in solution) of 901nm for MWCNT 1, 554nm for MWCNT 2 were found along with high PDI readings. The formation of very strong nanomaterials aggregates due to vander waals forces is expected to occur for unmodified carbon nanomaterials in solution, which is shown for the nano-sized carbon black nanoparticles, which have much larger sizes than their primary size (Murdock et al., 2008).
Nanomaterial | Average size in water a | Polydispersity index (PDI) | PH | Specific surface area (SSA) |
MWCNT 1 (O.D.X I.D X L: 110-170 nm × 3-8nm X 5-9 µm) |
901 nm | 1.000 | 7.2 | 10-15 m2/g |
MWCNT 2 (O.D. × I.D. × L 10-15 nm × 2-6 nm × 0.1-10 µm) |
554 nm | 1.000 | 7.1 | 30-45 m2/g |
3.2. Acute oral toxicity test in Wistar rats
There was no mortality evident in the study. Animals of treated groups showed normal and consistent gain in body weight when compared to the control group of animals (Figure 2a and 2b). No gross lesions were observed. Based on the above findings, the oral LD50 for MWCNT of two different sizes was greater then 2000 mg/kg b.w for Wistar rats.
3.3. Acute dermal toxicity study in Wistar rats
No mortality was evident in the study. Animals of treated groups showed normal and consistent gain in body weight when compared to the control group of animals (Figure 3a and 3b). No gross lesions were observed. Based on the above findings, the dermal LD50 for MWCNT of two different sizes was greater then 2000 mg/kg b.w for Wistar rats.
3.4. Acute dermal irritation study in New Zealand white rabbits
None of the rabbits treated with test material (two different sizes of MWCNT) showed any dermal reactions at 60 min, 24, 48 and 72 h after patch removal. None of the animals showed clinical signs of toxicity. Body weight gain of the individual animal was normal during the study period. Thus the Primary Irritation Index (PII) of two different sizes of MWCNT’s is zero. Hence based on the above findings MWCNT 1 and 2 were considered as non irritant to the skin of the New Zealand white rabbits.
3.5. Acute eye irritation study in New Zealand white rabbits
The eyes of the rabbits were examined at 1, 24, 48, 72, 96 hours and 5th day after treating with test material. The maximum mean score for ocular lesions observed was 8.0 and 10.0 for MWCNT 1 and MWCNT 2 respectively (Table 2 and 3). Animals exhibited conjunctival redness, chemosis and discharge (score 1 or 2) from 1hour onwards. All the animals recovered from above ocular lesions on 5th day. Hence the MWCNT 1 and 2 were considered as minimally irritating to the eye of the New Zealand white rabbits.
Time of Observation | MWCNT 1 - Ocular Lesions | |||
Total Score | Mean ± S.D. | |||
Treated (left eye) |
Control (right eye) |
Treated (left eye) |
Control (right eye) |
|
1 hour | 12 | 0 | 4.0 ± 0.00 | 0 |
24 hour | 24 | 0 | 8.0 ± 0.00 | 0 |
48 hour | 14 | 0 | 4.7 ± 1.15 | 0 |
72 hour | 8 | 0 | 2.7 ± 1.15 | 0 |
96 hour | 4 | 0 | 1.3 ± 1.15 | 0 |
5th Day | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Time of Observation | MWCNT 2 - Ocular Lesions | |||
Total Score | Mean ± S.D. | |||
Treated (left eye) |
Control (right eye) |
Treated (left eye) |
Control (right eye) |
|
1 hour | 16 | 0 | 4.7 ± 1.15 | 0 |
24 hour | 30 | 0 | 10.0 ± 0.00 | 0 |
48 hour | 18 | 0 | 6.0 ± 2.00 | 0 |
72 hour | 10 | 0 | 3.3 ± 1.15 | 0 |
96 hour | 4 | 0 | 1.3 ± 1.15 | 0 |
5th Day | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
3.7. Skin sensitization potential test in Guinea pigs
None of the animals treated with both the sizes of MWCNT did not exhibited any dermal reactions. Hence both the sizes of MWCNT could be considered as non sensitizer.
4. Discussion
Among 580 consumer nanotechnology-based products, one of the most common materials mentioned in the product descriptions is MWCNT based nanoparticles (Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 2007). However, MWCNT remain one of the most controversial research areas regarding their toxicity to biological systems.
However, the effect of MWCNT
In our present acute oral and dermal toxicity studies in Wistar rats of two different sizes with MWCNT did not show any toxicity. Based on these results the acute oral and dermal LD50 is greater than 2000 mg/kg b.w. for both the sizes of MWCNT. The acute dermal irritation study in New Zealand white rabbits with two different sizes of MWCNT, exhibited no dermal reactions. Under the conditions of this test, both the sizes of MWCNT were considered to be non-irritating to the skin. However, acute eye irritation study with both the sizes of MWCNT produced conjunctival redness and discharge in the treated eye of the rabbits and the lesions were reversible. No skin reactions were observed in Guinea Pigs treated with both the sizes of MWCNT. Based on these findings, both the sizes of MWCNT could be classified as minimally-irritating to the eye of the rabbits.
In conclusion, the results of these acute toxicity studies demonstrated low hazard potential in mammals following acute exposures to the MWCNT in oral and dermal routes. The MWCNT screened in these studies may serve as a base-line data for risk assessment. Further studies are required to investigate the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to cellular components, including genetic material.
5. Conclusion and future remarks
Despite of the wide usage of Multi-walled carbon nanotubes the toxicological information and potential
The current research work describes the results of four different
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to the IIBAT management for providing support for this work. We are thankful to Prof. P.V. Ramachandran, Head, Pathology and Dr. G. Selvam for their strong support in pathology work. We are also thankful to Mr. A. Goparaju, statistician for helping in analysis of data.
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