| Abstract [eng] |
According to European Commission Recommendation 2022/C 229/01, nanomaterials are described as materials with one or more external dimensions in the size range of 1 nm–100 nm. Due to their small size, composition, shape, and surface functionalities, nanoparticles (NPs) possess unique physicochemical properties. As a result, the number of anthropogenic NPs being synthesized and applied in various fields, such as medicine, food science, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, continues to rise. This exponential growth raises concerns about the potential negative effects of NPs on living organisms. This study explored the genotoxicity of 11 different types of NPs. Using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and established genotoxicity assays. Based on the results, we identified three distinct mechanisms of NP-induced genotoxicity. NPs that were efficiently internalized and induced ROS formation—such as Co3O4, Al2O3, and polystyrene (PS)—caused not only primary DNA damage but also significant chromosomal aberrations. In contrast, NPs that did not induce ROS (e.g., PVP-Ag, SiO2) resulted solely in primary DNA strand breaks. The study also showed that NP uptake and ROS generation might be limited (Au-NPs); however, they still caused a statistically significant increase in primary DNA damage. The results of this study provide theoretical insights into NP-induced genotoxic mechanisms and underscore the importance of comprehensive testing in the field of nanogenotoxicology. They may also contribute to developing new recommendations for nanoparticle research and safety assessment. |
