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The present study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic potential of cerium oxide (CeO2), magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles and their ionic forms by alkaline comet assay. Eisenia hortensis were exposed to different series of concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200, and 400 μg/ml) of chemicals for 48 h to find LC50. The LC50 for MgO and CeO2 NPs were 70 and 80 μg/ml. Whereas, the LC50 for their ionic forms were 50 and 70 μg/ml. To assess the potential DNA damage caused by the chosen chemicals, E. hortensis was further exposed for 48 h to the following concentrations, based on their respective LC50s: LC50/2, LC50, and 2xLC50. Comet scores demonstrated the significant increase (p < 0.05) in DNA damage at all concentrations, both for NPs and ionic forms in a concentration‐dependent manner. Findings of the present study revealed the genotoxic effects of CeO2 NPs, MgO NPs and their ionic forms on E. hortensis. Research Highlights: Genotoxic assessment of CeO2 and MgO NPs and their ionic forms was conducted.Characterization of NPs through electron microscopy and alkaline comet assay was performed on E. Hortensis.Highest DNA damage of CeO2 and MgO NPs was observed on earthworm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) is steadily spreading, leading to increased environmental exposures to many organisms, including humans. To improve our knowledge of this potential hazard, we have evaluated the genotoxic risk of cerium oxide (CeO2NPs) and magnesium oxide (MgONPs) nanoparticle exposures using Drosophila as an in vivo assay model. In this study, two well-known assays, such as the wing somatic mutation and recombination test (wing-spot assay) and the single-cell gel electrophoresis test (comet assay) were used. As a novelty, and for the first time, changes in the expression levels of a wide panel of DNA repair genes were also evaluated. Our results indicate that none of the concentrations of CeO2NPs increased the total spot frequency in the wing-spot assay, while induction was observed at the highest dose of MgONPs. Regarding the comet assay, both tested NPs were unable to induce single DNA strand breaks or oxidative damage in DNA bases. Nevertheless, exposure to CeO2NPs induced significant increases in the expression levels of the Mlh1 and Brca2 genes, which are involved in the double-strand break repair pathway, together with a decrease in the expression levels of the MCPH1 and Rad51D genes. Regarding the effects of MgONPs exposure, the expression levels of the Ercc1, Brca2, Rad1, mu2, and stg genes were significantly increased, while Mlh1 and MCPH1 genes were decreased. Our results show the usefulness of our approach in detecting mild genotoxic effects by evaluating changes in the expression of a panel of genes involved in DNA repair pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nanotechnology industry, a rapidly growing industry, can have substantial impacts on economy, society and environment. Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) are used as food additive in many processed foods, in pharmaceutical drug tablets, glass, electronics and as hydrophobic anticancer drug. Studies on the genotoxic risk related with the new emerging nanomaterials are of increasing interest, mainly on those compounds with limited information on their potential genotoxic risk. In this study, we have evaluated the genotoxicity of different concentration of both the microparticulated form (silicon dioxide, SMP) and nanoparticles (15nm) of Silica on Allium cepa root meristem cells. Onion bulbs were exposed to SNP/SMP in solution. Our results show that the DNA damage in the cells exposed to all concentrations of SNP are statistically significant in comparison to the control cells, while the DNA damage in the cells exposed to only the highest concentration (100 pg/mL) of microparticulated silica is statistically significant in comparison to the control cells. We can conclude that the microparticulated silica were not able to increase the DNA damage in low concentrations, but all applied doses of SNP are capable of inducing high levels of DNA damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous anthropogenic contaminants, and their abundance in the entire ecosystem raises the question of how far is the impact of these MPs on the biota, humans, and the environment. Recent research has overemphasized the occurrence, characterization, and direct toxicity of MPs; however, determining and understanding their genotoxic effect is still limited. Thus, the present review addresses the genotoxic potential of these emerging contaminants in aquatic organisms and in human peripheral lymphocytes and identified the research gaps in this area. Several genotoxic endpoints were implicated, including the frequency of micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridge (NPB), nuclear buds (NBUD), DNA strand breaks, and the percentage of DNA in the tail (%Tail DNA). In addition, the mechanism of MPs-induced genotoxicity seems to be closely associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inflammatory responses, and DNA repair interference. However, the gathered information urges the need for more studies that present environmentally relevant conditions. Taken into consideration, the lifestyle changes within the COVID-19 pandemic, we discussed the impact of the pandemic on enhancing the genotoxic potential of MPs whether through increasing human exposure to MPs via inappropriate disposal and overconsumption of plastic-based products or by disrupting the defense system owing to unhealthy food and sleep deprivation as well as stress. Overall, this review provided a reference for the genotoxic effect of MPs, their mechanism of action, as well as the contribution of COVID-19 to increase the genotoxic risk of MPs. [Display omitted] • The genotoxic effects of MPs are determined in somatic cells of aquatic organisms and human peripheral lymphocytes. • The mechanism of MPs-induced genotoxicity is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA repair disruption. • The COVID-19 pandemic contributes to the genotoxic potential of MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have useful properties, such as strong magnetism and compatibility with living organisms which is preferable for medical applications such as drug delivery and imaging. However, increasing use of these materials, especially in medicine, has raised concerns regarding potential risks to human health. In this study, IONPs were coated with silicon dioxide (SiO 2), citric acid (CA), and polyethylenimine (PEI) to enhance their dispersion and biocompatibility. Both coated and uncoated IONPs were assessed for genotoxic effects on Drosophila melanogaster. Results showed that uncoated IONPs induced genotoxic effects, including mutations and recombinations, while the coated IONPs demonstrated reduced or negligible genotoxicity. Additionally, bioinformatic analyses highlighted potential implications of induced recombination in various cancer types, underscoring the importance of understanding nanoparticle-induced genomic instability. This study highlights the importance of nanoparticle coatings in reducing potential genotoxic effects and emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive toxicity assessments in nanomaterial research. • Uncoated IONPs have both mutagenic and recombinogenic activity. • The IONPs were separately coated with three different coating materials. • SiO 2 , PEI and CA coatings reduced IONP genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) are commonly used as disinfectants for industrial, medical, and residential applications. However, adverse health outcomes have been reported. Therefore, biocompatible disinfectants must be developed to reduce these adverse effects. In this context, QACs with various alkyl chain lengths (C12–C18) were synthesized by reacting QACs with the counterion silane. The antimicrobial activities of the novel compounds against four strains of microorganisms were assessed. Several in vivo assays were conducted on Drosophila melanogaster to determine the toxicological outcomes of Si-QACs, followed by computational analyses (molecular docking, simulation, and prediction of skin sensitization). The in vivo results were combined using a cheminformatics approach to understand the descriptors responsible for the safety of Si-QAC. Si-QAC-2 was active against all tested bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 13.65 to 436.74 ppm. Drosophila exposed to Si-QAC-2 have moderate-to-low toxicological outcomes. The molecular weight, hydrophobicity/lipophilicity, and electron diffraction properties were identified as crucial descriptors for ensuring the safety of the Si-QACs. Furthermore, Si-QAC-2 exhibited good stability and notable antiviral potential with no signs of skin sensitization. Overall, Si-QAC-2 (C14) has the potential to be a novel disinfectant. [Display omitted] • New silane quaternary ammonium disinfectants were synthesized. • The antimicrobial effect depends on alkyl chain length and the presence of silane. • Mutagenicity/genotoxicity were observed on low alkyl chain compounds. • From in vivo / in silico data one compound (Si-QAC2) was selected as a promising disinfectant. • In silico data detect crucial descriptors to guarantee the safety of Si-QAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the use of synthetic amorphous silica (SAS) is steady increasing, scarce information exists on its potential health risk. In particular few and conflictive data exist on its genotoxicity. To fill in this gap we have used Drosophila melanogaster as in vivo model test organism to detect the genotoxic activity of different SAS with different primary sizes (6, 15, 30 and 55 nm). The wing-spot assay and the comet assay in larvae haemocytes were used, and the obtained results were compared with those obtained with the microparticulated form (silicon dioxide). All compounds were administered to third instar larvae at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 mM. No significant increases in the frequencies of mutant spots were observed in the wing-spot assay with any of the tested compounds. On the other hand, significant dose-dependent increases in the levels of primary DNA damage, measured by the comet assay, were observed for all the SAS evaluated but mainly when high doses (5 and 10 mM) were used. These in vivo results contribute to increase the database dealing with the potential genotoxic risk associated to SAS nanoparticles exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]