The effects of gold nanoparticles on the human blood functions

<p>The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been widely used as drug delivery systems at several biomedical fields. However, the effect of AuNPs on the components of human blood is not well characterized. AuNPs firstly interacted with blood when using AuNPs as the drug delivery carries. Therefore, it is urgent to investigate the effect of AuNPs (including the ligands of AuNPs) on human blood, especially its components. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of polyethylene glycol-coated AuNPs (PEG@AuNPs) and citric acid-coated AuNPs (CT-AuNPs) on the blood cell function and distribution of those nanoparticles in blood components including erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets (PLTs) cells and plasma. We found that the amount of CT-AuNPs engulfed by leukocytes was four folds more compared to PEG@AuNPs, indicating that PEGylation might have the ability to escape the immune system. We found that each individual leukocyte uptaked more AuNPs particles than individual platelet. However, there are more PLTs than leukocytes in the blood. The total amount of AuNPs including PEG@AuNPs and CT-AuNPs accumulation in PLTs were more than in leukocytes. Moreover, we found that both CT-AuNPs and PEG@AuNPs-induced PLTs activation at high concentration. We therefore concluded that the interactions between nanodrug delivery systems (AuNPs) and human blood components, especially the PLTs should be careful evaluated prior to their clinical applications.</p

CPDA-1 and MAP Composition.

<p>CPDA-1 and MAP Composition.</p

The osmotic fragility and hemolysis of stored suspended red blood cells (SRBCs) from plateau (circle) and lowland (square) populations were measured throughout the 35-day storage period.

<p>Osmotic fragility (A) (***t test p < 0.001forplateau vs. lowland from day 1 to day35). Hemolysis (B) (**t test p < 0.01 for plateau vs. lowland on day1, ***t test p < 0.001 for plateau vs. lowland on day7).</p

Standard quality parameters of stored suspended red blood cells (SRBCs) from plateau (circle) and lowland (square) populations were measured throughout the 35-day storage period.

<p>pH (A) (***t test p < 0.001 for plateau vs. lowland on days1 and 35), **t test p < 0.01 for pl eau vs. lowland on days 7 and 14).Crystal osmolarity (B) (***t test p < 0.001 for plateau vs. lowland from day1 to day 35).Lactate concentration (C) (***t test p < 0.001 for plateau vs. lowland on Days 7 and Day 35).Supernatant glucose (D) and Na⁺ (E)concentrations(***t test p < 0.001 for plateau vs. lowland on days7, 14 and 35).Supernatant K⁺ levels(F) (***t test p < 0.001 for plateau vs. lowland on days 7 and 35).# ANOVA p < 0.05 for all of the parameters throughout the entire storage duration.</p

The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) levels and oxygen tension to attain 50% oxygen saturation of Hb (P50) of stored RBCs from plateau (square) and lowland (stripe) populations were measured throughout the 35-day storage period.

<p>ATP (A) 2,3-DPG (B)(***t test p < 0.001 for plateau vs. lowland on day 1, **t test p < 0.01 for plateau vs. lowland on day 7). P50 (C)(**t test p < 0.01 for plateau vs. lowland on day 14).</p

Hct and MCV in the lowland (n = 8) and plateau (n = 8) groups throughout the entire storage period.

<p>Hct and MCV in the lowland (n = 8) and plateau (n = 8) groups throughout the entire storage period.</p

The change rates of Na⁺, K⁺, glucose and lactate in SRBCs throughout the storage period.

<p>The change rates of Na⁺, K⁺, glucose and lactate in SRBCs throughout the storage period.</p