Developmental toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos after exposure to manufactured nanomaterials: buckminsterfullerene aggregates (nC60) and fullerol

Environ Toxicol Chem. 2007 May;26(5):976-9. doi: 10.1897/06-583.1.

Abstract

The present paper summarizes, to our knowledge, the first study regarding the developmental toxicity of stable buckminsterfullerene aggregates suspended in water (nC60) using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a vertebrate model. Zebrafish embryo survival, hatching rate, heartbeat, and pericardial edema were noted and described within 96 h of exposure. Fullerol (a hydroxylated C60 derivative, C60(OH)16-18) at 50 mg/L did not exert toxicity to zebrafish embryos. In contrast, nC60 at 1.5 mg/L delayed zebrafish embryo and larval development, decreased survival and hatching rates, and caused pericardial edema. Toxicity was mitigated by adding an antioxidant (glutathione), which suggests that a free radical-induced mechanism or another form of oxidative stress played a role in developmental toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Edema / embryology
  • Edema / pathology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / drug effects*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology
  • Free Radicals / metabolism
  • Fullerenes / toxicity*
  • Glutathione / pharmacology
  • Heart Rate
  • Nanostructures / toxicity*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Survival Rate
  • Time Factors
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*
  • Zebrafish

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Free Radicals
  • Fullerenes
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • fullerol C60(OH)22
  • Glutathione