Detection of Gold Nanoparticles in Rat Organs by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2016 Apr;160(6):817-22. doi: 10.1007/s10517-016-3318-1. Epub 2016 May 10.

Abstract

The effects of water-dispersed gold nanoparticles (8.0±0.9 nm in diameter) on the rat small intestinal mucosa and Peyer plaques, liver, and spleen were studied by electron microscopy. Water-dispersed gold nanoparticles injected into isolated intestinal loop not only accumulated in the small intestinal mucosa and Peyer plaques, but also penetrated into other organs, e.g. liver and spleen. Ultrastructural changes in the cells (hyperplasia of endoplasmic reticulum) were detected in the studied organs.

Keywords: electron microscopy; gold nanoparticles; rat organ tissues.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / drug effects
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / pathology
  • Gold / pharmacokinetics
  • Gold / toxicity*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / drug effects
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / pathology
  • Intestine, Small / drug effects
  • Intestine, Small / metabolism*
  • Intestine, Small / pathology
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Metal Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / metabolism*
  • Spleen / pathology
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Gold