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Review
. 2017 Sep;91(9):2967-3010.
doi: 10.1007/s00204-017-1993-y. Epub 2017 Jun 1.

Toxicology of silica nanoparticles: an update

Sivakumar Murugadoss  1 , Dominique Lison  2 , Lode Godderis  3 , Sybille Van Den Brule  2 , Jan Mast  4 , Frederic Brassinne  4 , Noham Sebaihi  5 , Peter H Hoet  6
Affiliations
Review

Toxicology of silica nanoparticles: an update

Sivakumar Murugadoss et al. Arch Toxicol. 2017 Sep.

Abstract

Large-scale production and use of amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have increased the risk of human exposure to SiNPs, while their health effects remain unclear. In this review, scientific papers from 2010 to 2016 were systematically selected and sorted based on in vitro and in vivo studies: to provide an update on SiNPs toxicity and to address the knowledge gaps indicated in the review of Napierska (Part Fibre Toxicol 7:39, 2010). Toxicity of SiNPs in vitro is size, dose, and cell type dependent. SiNPs synthesized by wet route exhibited noticeably different biological effects compared to thermal route-based SiNPs. Amorphous SiNPs (particularly colloidal and stöber) induced toxicity via mechanisms similar to crystalline silica. In vivo, route of administration and physico-chemical properties of SiNPs influences the toxicokinetics. Adverse effects were mainly observed in acutely exposed animals, while no significant signs of toxicity were noted in chronically dosed animals. The correlation between in vitro and in vivo toxicity remains less well established mainly due to improper-unrealistic-dosing both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, notwithstanding the multiple studies published in recent years, unambiguous linking of physico-chemical properties of SiNPs types to toxicity, bioavailability, or human health effects is not yet possible.

Keywords: Amorphous silica nanoparticles; Colloidal; Oxidative stress; Pyrogenic; Stöber; Toxicity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Systematic selection of studies
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
In vitro dose estimation from human tolerable levels (OELs)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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