Namur Nanosafety Center (NNC), NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur (FUNDP), Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2012 Oct 15;264(2):232-45. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2012.08.004. Epub 2012 Aug 15.
Silicon carbide (SiC) presents noteworthy properties as a material such as high hardness, thermal stability, and photoluminescent properties as a nanocrystal. However, there are very few studies in regard to the toxicological potential of SiC NPs.
To study the toxicity and biodistribution of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles in an in vivo rat model after acute (24h) and subacute (28days) oral administrations. The acute doses were 0.5, 5, 50, 300 and 600mg·kg(-1), while the subacute doses were 0.5 and 50mg·kg(-1).
SiC biodistribution and elemental composition of feces and organs (liver, kidneys, and spleen) have been studied by Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). SiC and other elements in feces excretion increased by the end of the subacute assessment. SiC did not accumulate in organs but some elemental composition modifications were observed after the acute assessment. Histopathological sections from organs (stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys) indicate the absence of damage at all applied doses, in both assessments. A decrease in the concentration of urea in blood was found in the 50mg·kg(-1) group from the subacute assessment. No alterations in the urine parameters (sodium, potassium, osmolarity) were found.
This is the first study that assesses the toxicity, biodistribution, and composition changes in feces and organs of SiC nanoparticles in an in vivo rat model. SiC was excreted mostly in feces and low traces were retrieved in urine, indicating that SiC can cross the intestinal barrier. No sign of toxicity was however found after oral administration.
碳化硅（SiC）作为一种纳米晶体，具有高硬度、热稳定性和光致发光等显著特性。然而，关于 SiC NPs 的毒理学潜力的研究很少。
研究体内大鼠模型中急性（24 小时）和亚急性（28 天）口服后碳化硅（SiC）纳米颗粒的毒性和生物分布。急性剂量为 0.5、5、50、300 和 600mg·kg(-1)，亚急性剂量为 0.5 和 50mg·kg(-1)。
通过粒子诱发 X 射线发射（PIXE）研究了 SiC 的生物分布和粪便及器官（肝、肾和脾）中的元素组成。SiC 和粪便排泄中的其他元素在亚急性评估结束时增加。SiC 并未在器官中积累，但在急性评估后观察到一些元素组成的变化。来自器官（胃、肠、肝和肾）的组织病理学切片表明，在两种评估中，所有应用剂量均未造成损伤。在亚急性评估中，发现 50mg·kg(-1)组血液中尿素浓度降低。尿液参数（钠、钾、渗透压）没有变化。
这是首次在体内大鼠模型中评估 SiC 纳米颗粒的毒性、生物分布和粪便及器官中组成变化的研究。SiC 主要通过粪便排泄，尿液中仅检测到微量，表明 SiC 可以穿过肠屏障。然而，口服后未发现毒性迹象。
