The effect of silver nanoparticles on splenocyte activity and selected cytokine levels in the mouse serum at early stage of experimental endotoxemia.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a nonionic silver nanocolloid administered orally for 7 or 14 days at three concentration levels (25 ppm, 2.5 ppm, and 0.25 ppm) on the phagocytic activity and mitogenic response of splenocytes and selected cytokine serum levels (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12 p70, TNF-alpha) in NMRI mice at the early stage of experimental endotoxemia induced with single 30 microg/mouse dose of bacterial LPS. Regardless of the period of administration, silver nanoparticles enhanced the production of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and they inhibited IL-12 p70 levels in response to LPS challenge. The studied nanoparticles' effect on splenocyte activity was determined by the period of administration. After 7 days of use, silver nanoparticles enhanced the phagocytic activity, and doses of 2.5 ppm stimulated the mitogenic response of splenocytes. After 14 days of administration, silver nanoparticles lowered the phagocytic activity regardless of the dose applied. Although the results obtained are ambiguous, they suggest that silver nanoparticles administered via the alimentary tract are more likely to increase an inflammatory response of an organism than offer protection after LPS challenge.