Physicochemical Properties of Engineered Nanomaterials that Influence Their Nervous System Distribution and Effects

This critical review examines in vitro and in vivo evidence for the influence of engineered nanomaterial (ENM) physicochemical properties on their distribution into, and effects on, the nervous system. Nervous system applications of ENMs; exposure routes and potential for uptake; the nervous system and its barriers to ENM uptake; and the mechanisms of uptake into the nervous system and overcoming those barriers are summarized. The findings of English-language publications of studies that included at least two variations of an ENM physicochemical property and reported results of their pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic interaction with the nervous system that differed as a function of ENM physicochemical property(ies) are summarized in Supplementary Materials. A summary conclusion is drawn for each of the physicochemical properties on the strength of the evidence that it influences ENM-nervous system interaction

The Toxicology of Aluminum in the Brain: A Review

Aluminum is environmentally ubiquitous, providing human exposure. Usual human exposure is primarily dietary. The potential for significant Al absorption from the nasal cavity and direct distribution into the brain should be further investigated. Decreased renal function increases human risk of Al-induced accumulation and toxicity. Brain Al entry from blood may involve transferrin-receptor mediated endocytosis and a more rapid process transporting small molecular weight Al species. There appears to be Al efflux from the brain, probably as Al citrate. There is prolonged retention of a fraction of Al that enters the brain, suggesting the potential for accumulation with repeated exposure. Al is a neurotoxicant in animals and humans. It has been implicated in the etiology of sporadic Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative disorders, although this is highly controversial. This controversy has not been resolved by epidemiological studies, as only some found a small association between increased incidence of dementia and drinking water Al concentration. Studies of brain Al in AD have not produced consistent findings and have not resolved the controversy. Injections of Al to animals produce behavioral, neuropathological and neurochemical changes that partially model AD. Aluminum has the ability to produce neurotoxicity by many mechanisms. Excess, insoluble amyloid beta protein (A beta) contributes to AD. Aluminum promotes formation and accumulation of insoluble A beta and hyperphosphorylated tau. To some extent, Al mimics the deficit of cortical cholinergic neurotransmission seen in AD. Al increases Fe-induced oxidative injury. The toxicity of Al to plants, aquatic life and humans may share common mechanisms, including disruption of the inositol phosphate system and Ca regulation. Facilitation of Fe-induced oxidative injury and disruption of basic cell processes may mediate primary molecular mechanisms of Al-induced neurotoxicity. Avoidance of Al exposure, when practical, seems prudent

Hair as an Indicator of Excessive Aluminum Exposure

To determine if excessive systemic exposure to aluminum would be reflected in increased aluminum concentration in hair, rabbits were given a series of aluminum lactate injections. Hair was collected before the aluminum lactate administration from the site of injections and twice after the injections from this site as well as from an area adjoining the injection site. Aluminum was determined by flameless atomic absorption analysis of acid-digested samples. The concentration of aluminum in the hair increased after the injections in samples taken at both times from both sites. Considerable variability in hair aluminum was found before excessive exposure, as has been reported in humans, and in response to the exposure. The increase in hair aluminum did not correlate with the amount of hair produced. Nevertheless, because some subjects exposed to excessive aluminum showed a very large increase in hair aluminum, hair may be a useful indicator of aluminum body burden in such aluminum-induced conditions as dialysis encephalopathy

Manganese Flux across the Blood-Brain Barrier

Manganese (Mn) is essential for brain growth and metabolism, but in excess can be a neurotoxicant. The chemical form (species) of Mn influences its kinetics and toxicity. Significant Mn species entering the brain are the Mn2+ ion and Mn citrate which, along with Mn transferrin, enter the brain by carrier-mediated processes. Although the divalent metal transporter (DMT-1) was suggested to be a candidate for brain Mn uptake, brain Mn influx was not different in Belgrade rats, which do not express functional DMT-1, compared to controls. Brain Mn influx was not sodium dependent or dependent on ATP hydrolysis, but was reduced by mitochondrial energy inhibitors. Mn and Fe do not appear to compete for brain uptake. Brain Mn uptake appears to be mediated by a Ca uptake mechanism, thought to not be a p-type ATPase, but a store-operated calcium channel. Efflux of Mn from the brain was found to be slower than markers used as membrane impermeable reference compounds, suggesting diffusion mediates brain Mn efflux. Owing to carrier-mediated brain Mn influx and diffusion-mediated efflux, slow brain Mn clearance and brain Mn accumulation with repeated excess exposure would be predicted, and have been reported. This may render the brain susceptible to Mn-induced neurotoxicity from excessive Mn exposure

Aluminum Reproductive Toxicity: A Summary and Interpretation of Scientific Reports

Publications addressing aluminum (Al)-induced reproductive toxicity were reviewed. Key details were compiled in summary tables. Approximate systemic Al exposure, a measure of bioavailability, was calculated for each exposure, based on the Al percentage in the dosed Al species, Al bioavailability, and absorption time course reports for the exposure route. This was limited to laboratory animal studies because no controlled-exposure human studies were found. Intended Al exposure was compared to unintended dietary Al exposure. The considerable and variable Al content of laboratory animal diets creates uncertainty about reproductive function in the absence of Al. Aluminum-induced reproductive toxicity in female mice and rats was evident after exposure to ≥ 25-fold the amount of Al consumed in the diet. Generally, the additional daily Al systemic exposure of studies that reported statistically significant results was greater than 100-fold above the typical human daily Al dietary consumption equivalent. Male reproductive endpoints were significantly affected after exposure to lower levels of Al than females. Increased Al intake increased fetus, placenta, and testes Al concentrations, to a greater extent in the placenta than fetus, and, in some cases, more in the testes than placenta. An adverse outcome pathway (AOP) was constructed for males based on the results of the reviewed studies. The proposed AOP includes oxidative stress as the molecular initiating event and increased malondialdehyde, DNA and spermatozoal damage, and decreased blood testosterone and sperm count as subsequent key events. Recommendations for the design of future studies of reproductive outcomes following exposure to Al are provided

Nanoparticle Brain Delivery: A Guide to Verification Methods

Many reports conclude nanoparticle (NP) brain entry based on bulk brain analysis. Bulk brain includes blood, cerebrospinal fluid and blood vessels within the brain contributing to the blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers. Considering the brain as neurons, glia and their extracellular space (brain parenchyma), most studies did not show brain parenchymal NP entry. Blood-brain and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barriers anatomy and function are reviewed. Methods demonstrating brain parenchymal NP entry are presented. Results demonstrating bulk brain versus brain parenchymal entry are classified. Studies are reviewed, critiqued and classified to illustrate results demonstrating bulk brain versus parenchymal entry. Brain, blood and peripheral organ NP timecourses are compared and related to brain parenchymal entry evidence suggesting brain NP timecourse informs about brain parenchymal entry

The Pharmacokinetics and Toxicology of Aluminum in the Brain

The chemical forms (species) of aluminum in blood plasma and brain extracellular fluid are considered, as they are the candidates for brain aluminum uptake and efflux. The blood-brain barrier is the primary site of brain aluminum uptake. The mechanism of brain uptake of aluminum transferrin, long thought to be mediated by transferrin-receptor mediated endocytosis, requires further investigation. Brain Al citrate uptake has been attributed to the sodium-independent Lglutamate/ L-cystine exchanger system, system Xc-. Reports have suggested aluminum can compromise blood-brain barrier integrity, however the studies were conducted with aluminum concentrations greatly exceeding those seen in human blood plasma. Aluminum appeared in cerebrospinal fluid suggesting it can cross the choroid plexus and in brain after intranasal application suggesting it can be taken up by cranial nerves, but neither of these routes has been definitively demonstrated. Brain aluminum efflux appears to be carrier-mediated, however the mechanism has not been identified. A small increase in brain aluminum seems sufficient to produce neurotoxicity. Once aluminum enters the brain it persists there for a very long time; estimates of the half-life range from 20% of the lifespan to greater than the lifespan. Al persistence in bone, which maintains the majority of the body burden, may influence brain Al, due to equilibrium among the body’s organs. Chelation therapy with desferrioxamine has been shown to reduce some manifestations of aluminum toxicity although it may increase redistribution of aluminum to the brain to increase aluminum-induced neurotoxicity. An orally-effective aluminum chelator that is an improvement over desferrioxamine has not yet been demonstrated. Although a non-essential metal, there are mechanisms enabling aluminum to get into the brain, accumulating over the lifespan, and creating the potential to contribute to many neurodegenerative disorders

Engineered nanomaterials: exposures, hazards, and risk prevention

Nanotechnology presents the possibility of revolutionizing many aspects of our lives. People in many settings (academic, small and large industrial, and the general public in industrialized nations) are either developing or using engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) or ENM-containing products. However, our understanding of the occupational, health and safety aspects of ENMs is still in its formative stage. A survey of the literature indicates the available information is incomplete, many of the early findings have not been independently verified, and some may have been over-interpreted. This review describes ENMs briefly, their application, the ENM workforce, the major routes of human exposure, some examples of uptake and adverse effects, what little has been reported on occupational exposure assessment, and approaches to minimize exposure and health hazards. These latter approaches include engineering controls such as fume hoods and personal protective equipment. Results showing the effectiveness - or lack thereof - of some of these controls are also included. This review is presented in the context of the Risk Assessment/Risk Management framework, as a paradigm to systematically work through issues regarding human health hazards of ENMs. Examples are discussed of current knowledge of nanoscale materials for each component of the Risk Assessment/Risk Management framework. Given the notable lack of information, current recommendations to minimize exposure and hazards are largely based on common sense, knowledge by analogy to ultrafine material toxicity, and general health and safety recommendations. This review may serve as an overview for health and safety personnel, management, and ENM workers to establish and maintain a safe work environment. Small start-up companies and research institutions with limited personnel or expertise in nanotechnology health and safety issues may find this review particularly useful