Objective: 

Single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) represent a material of high medical interest. Recent studies rise concerns regarding their possible oxidative stress –inducing effects.

Our aim was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo induced by various concentrations of SWCNT functionalized with single strand DNA(ssDNA- SWCNT) solutions.

Methods: 

ss-DNA-SWCNT water solution was obtained through sonication. In vitro experiments were carried out on Hep G2 cell line. 5, 10 and 20 mg/L concentrated solutions were prepared. MTT assay and 5-(and-6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay were performed. In vivo experiments were carried out on male Wistar rats (170±10g), i.p. injected with 1.5 ml single walled ss-DNA-SWCNT solutions of different concentrations (70g/l, 250 g/l, 390 g/l). Controls were similarly i.p injected with 1.5ml serum. Malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonylated proteins (PC), hydrogen donor ability (HD), sulfhydryl groups (SH) were assessed in blood at 3, 6, 24 and respectively 48 hours after the SWCNT administration.

Results: 

We obtained a significant in vitro and in vivo alterations of oxidative balance peaking at 24 hours from administration (p<0.05). Results show significant dependence of observed effects on concentration. At 48 hours from exposure, levels of the analyzed markers remained altered.

Conclusions: 

Our results support the ability of ss-DNA-SWCNT to generate oxidative stress, the pattern of alterations depending on the concentration of SWCNT solutions.

Present work was supported by National Research Council Grant NANOCITOX 42112/2008.