Potential adverse effects of engineered nanomaterials commonly used in food on the miRNome

Abstract

The emergence of nanotechnology has greatly impacted our daily lives. Multiple products, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, electronics and food, are produced with incorporation of nanomaterials (NMs). Nanotechnology has yielded many promising benefits, yet, there remains much uncertainty about the hazards of NMs to humans. Hence, it is important to ensure safety of the users. Although many in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out on the potential toxicity generated by NMs in food, its effects on the microRNA genome (miRNome) involved in the regulation of gene expression have been poorly understood. Therefore, this review focuses on the types of commonly used NMs (containing silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide, silver or zinc oxide) in food products and their potential toxic effects, including how NMs can induce epigenetic toxicity mediated via altered miRNA expression.

Keywords: Epigenetic toxicity; Silicon dioxide nanoparticles; Silver nanoparticles; Titanium dioxide nanoparticles; Zinc oxide nanoparticles; microRNA.