Toxicity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in central nervous system

• Published in: Toxicology in vitro 2015-08, Vol.29 (5), p.1042-1052
• Main Authors: Czajka, Magdalena, Sawicki, Krzysztof, Sikorska, Katarzyna, Popek, Sylwia, Kruszewski, Marcin, Kapka-Skrzypczak, Lucyna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Brain; Brain - cytology; Brain - drug effects; Brain - pathology; Cell Death - drug effects; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; DNA Damage; Humans; Inflammation - chemically induced; Metal Nanoparticles - toxicity; Neuroinflammation; Oxidative Stress; Reactive oxygen species; Titanium - pharmacokinetics; Titanium - toxicity; Toxicity
• ISSN: 0887-2333; 1879-3177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2015.04.004

•TiO2 NPs can translocate from the initial gates of entry and accumulate in the brain.•TiO2 NPs accumulation in the brain causes brain damage and neurotoxicity.•TiO2 NPs exposure results in microglia activation, ROS production and inflammation.•ROS production induced genotoxicity and cell damage. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have found many practical applications in industry and daily life. A widespread application of TiO2 NPs rises the question about safety of their use in the context of potential occupational, environmental and intentional exposure of humans and biota. TiO2 NPs easily enter the body through inhalation, cross blood–brain barrier and accumulate in the brain, especially in the cortex and hippocampus. Toxicity of these NPs and the molecular mechanisms of their action have been studied extensively in recent years. Studies showed that TiO2 NPs exposure resulted in microglia activation, reactive oxygen species production, activation of signaling pathways involved in inflammation and cell death, both in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, such action led to neuroinflammation, further brain injury. A spatial recognition memory and locomotor activity impairment has been also observed.