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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Ithaca, New York » Robert W. Holley Center for Agriculture & Health » Plant, Soil and Nutrition Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #355125
Title: Silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure affects small intestine function in an in vitro model

Author
item GUO, ZHONGYUAN - BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
item MARTUCCI, NICOLE - BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
item LIU, YIZHONG - BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
item MAHLER, GRETCHEN - BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
item YOO, EUSOO - BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
item TAKO, ELAD

Submitted to: Nanotoxicology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2018
Publication Date: 4/18/2018
Citation: Guo, Z., Martucci, N., Liu, Y., Mahler, G., Yoo, E., Tako, E.N. 2018. Silicon dioxide nanoparticle exposure affects small intestine function in an in vitro model. Nanotoxicology. 12(5):485-508. https://doi.org/10.1080/17435390.2018.1463407.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17435390.2018.1463407

Interpretive Summary: The use of nanomaterials to enhance properties of food and improve delivery of orally administered drugs has become common, but the potential health effects of these ingested nanomaterials remain unknown. The goal of this study is to characterize the properties of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles (NP) that are commonly used in food and food packaging, and to investigate the effects of physiologically realistic doses of SiO2 NP on gastrointestinal (GI) health and function. In this work, cellular model was used. The model was exposed to well-characterized SiO2 NP for a short (4'h) and long (5'd) time periods. SiO2 NP exposure significantly affected iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), glucose, and lipid nutrient absorption. The functionality of the intestinal epithelium, as measured by electrical resistance, was significantly decreased in response to chronic exposure. Protein levels analysis showed NP altered the expression levels of nutrient transport proteins. SiO2 NP exposure damaged the intestinal membrane by decreasing the surface area available for nutrient absorption. SiO2 NP exposure at physiologically relevant doses ultimately caused adverse outcomes in a cellular model.

Technical Abstract: The use of nanomaterials to enhance properties of food and improve delivery of orally administered drugs has become common, but the potential health effects of these ingested nanomaterials remain unknown. The goal of this study is to characterize the properties of silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles (NP) that are commonly used in food and food packaging, and to investigate the effects of physiologically realistic doses of SiO2 NP on gastrointestinal (GI) health and function. In this work, an in vitro model composed of Caco-2 and HT29-MTX co-cultures, which represent absorptive and goblet cells, was used. The model was exposed to well-characterized SiO2 NP for acute (4'h) and chronic (5'd) time periods. SiO2 NP exposure significantly affected iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), glucose, and lipid nutrient absorption. Brush border membrane intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) activity was increased in response to nano-SiO2. The barrier function of the intestinal epithelium, as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance, was significantly decreased in response to chronic exposure. Gene expression and oxidative stress formation analysis showed NP altered the expression levels of nutrient transport proteins, generated reactive oxygen species, and initiated pro-inflammatory signaling. SiO2 NP exposure damaged the brush border membrane by decreasing the number of intestinal microvilli, which decreased the surface area available for nutrient absorption. SiO2 NP exposure at physiologically relevant doses ultimately caused adverse outcomes in an in vitro model.