Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, and Apoptotic Effects of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles in Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

OBJECTIVES: The superior properties of nickel oxide-nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) have led to their wide use in various fields. However, there is little comprehensive knowledge about their toxicity, especially after oral exposure. The toxic effect of NiO-NPs of mean size 15.0 nm was investigated in Caco-2 (human intestinal epithelial) cells as no study has been performed on their intestinal toxicity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following identification of their particle size distribution and cellular uptake potential, the risk of exposure to NiO-NPs was evaluated by cellular morphologic changes, cyto- and genotoxic potentials, oxidative damage, and apoptotic induction.
RESULTS: NiO-NPs induced a 50% reduction in cell viability at 351.6 μg/mL and caused DNA damage and oxidative damage at 30-150 μg/mL. It appears that apoptosis might be a main cell death mechanism in NiO-NP-exposed intestinal cells.
CONCLUSION: NiO-NPs might be hazardous to the gastrointestinal system. The results should raise concerns about using NiO-NPs in food-contact appliances and about NiO-NP-containing wastes. Further in vivo and in vitro research should be conducted to explain the specific toxicity mechanism of these particles and reduce their risk to humans. ©Copyright 2020 Turk J Pharm Sci, Published by Galenos Publishing House.