The influence of surface coatings on the toxicity of silver nanoparticle in rainbow trout

• Published in: Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology Vol. 226; p. 108623
• Main Authors: Auclair, J., Turcotte, P., Gagnon, C., Peyrot, C., Wilkinson, K.J., Gagné, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2019
• Subjects: Animals; Biomarkers - metabolism; Citric Acid - toxicity; Coatings; Genotoxicity; Inflammation; Liver - metabolism; Metal Nanoparticles - toxicity; Oncorhynchus mykiss - metabolism; Polyethyleneimine - toxicity; Povidone - toxicity; Silicates - toxicity; Silver - metabolism; Silver - toxicity; Silver nanoparticles; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Inflammation; Coatings; Silver nanoparticles; Genotoxicity
• ISSN: 1532-0456; 1878-1659
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.108623

Silver nanoparticles (nAg) are often produced with different coatings that could influence bioavailability and toxicity in aquatic organisms. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of 4 surface coatings of nAg of the same core size towards bioavailability and toxicity in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Juveniles were exposed to 50 μg/L of 50 nm diameter nAg for 96 h at 15 °C with the following coatings: branched polyethylenimine (bPEI), citrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and silicate (Si). The data revealed that the coatings influenced hepatic Ag loadings in the following trend PVP > citrate > bPEI and Si with estimated bioavailability factors of 28, 18, 6 and 2 L/kg respectively. Hepatic Ag levels were significantly associated with DNA damage and inflammation as determined by arachidonate cyclooxygenase activity. The bPEI and citrate-coated nAg consistently produced the observed effects above in addition to increased mitochondrial electron transport activity and glutathione S-transferase activity. The absence of metallothionein and lipid peroxidation suggests that mechanisms other than the liberation of Ag+ were at play. In conclusion, surface coatings were shown to significantly influence bioavailability and toxic properties of nAg to rainbow trout juveniles. [Display omitted] •The coatings of silver nanoparticles influence availability and toxicity in fish.•Silver nanoparticles are available in the liver and produce inflammation and DNA damage.•Charged coatings produce stronger effects in fish liver.