Toxicity assessment of core-shell and superabsorbent polymers in cell-based systems

Ioannis A Kartsonakis; Periklis Vardakas; Panagiotis Goulis; Nikolaos Perkas; Ioannis D Kyriazis; Zoi Skaperda; Fotios Tekos; Constantinos A Charitidis; Demetrios Kouretas

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.115772

Toxicity assessment of core-shell and superabsorbent polymers in cell-based systems

Environ Res. 2023 Jul 1:228:115772. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115772. Epub 2023 Mar 24.

Authors

Ioannis A Kartsonakis¹, Periklis Vardakas², Panagiotis Goulis¹, Nikolaos Perkas², Ioannis D Kyriazis², Zoi Skaperda², Fotios Tekos², Constantinos A Charitidis³, Demetrios Kouretas⁴

Affiliations

¹ Research Lab of Advanced, Composite, Nano-Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St. Zografos, 15780, Athens, Greece.
² Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41500, Larissa, Greece.
³ Research Lab of Advanced, Composite, Nano-Materials and Nanotechnology, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9 Heroon Polytechniou St. Zografos, 15780, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: charitidis@chemeng.ntua.gr.
⁴ Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41500, Larissa, Greece. Electronic address: dkouret@uth.gr.

PMID: 36967000
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115772

Abstract

The identification of health risks arising from occupational exposure to submicron/nanoscale materials is of particular interest and toxicological investigations designed to assess their hazardous properties can provide valuable insights. The core-shell polymers poly (methyl methacrylate)@poly (methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) [PMMA@P (MAA-co-EGDMA)] and poly (n-butyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)@poly (methyl methacrylate) [P (nBMA-co-EGDMA)@PMMA] could be utilized for the debonding of coatings and for the encapsulation and targeted delivery of various compounds. The hybrid superabsorbent core-shell polymers poly (methacrylic acid-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate)@silicon dioxide [P (MAA-co-EGDMA)@SiO₂] could be utilized as internal curing agents in cementitious materials. Therefore, the characterization of their toxicological profile is essential to ensure their safety throughout manufacturing and the life cycle of the final products. Based on the above, the purpose of the present study was to assess the acute toxic effects of the above mentioned polymers on cell viability and on cellular redox state in EA. hy926 human endothelial cells and in RAW264.7 mouse macrophages. According to our results, the examined polymers did not cause any acute toxic effects on cell viability after any administration. However, the thorough evaluation of a panel of redox biomarkers revealed that they affected cellular redox state in a cell-specific manner. As regards EA. hy926 cells, the polymers disrupted redox homeostasis and promoted protein carbonylation. Concerning RAW264.7 cells, P (nBMA-co-EGDMA)@PMMA caused disturbances in redox equilibrium and special emphasis was placed on the triphasic dose-response effect detected in lipid peroxidation. Finally, P (MAA-co-EGDMA)@SiO₂ activated cellular adaptive mechanisms in order to prevent from oxidative damage.

Keywords: Core-shell; Hormesis; Non-monotonic dose-responses; Oxidative stress; Polymers; SAPs; Toxicity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Endothelial Cells
Humans
Methacrylates / toxicity
Mice
Polymers* / toxicity
Polymethyl Methacrylate*
Silicon Dioxide / toxicity

Substances

methacrylic acid
ethylene dimethacrylate
Polymers
Polymethyl Methacrylate
Silicon Dioxide
poly(ethylene glycol)-dimethacrylate
Methacrylates
methylmethacrylate-methacrylic acid copolymer