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Amorphous silica nanoparticles and the human gut microbiota: a relationship with multiple implications

Amorphous silica nanoparticles and the human gut microbiota: a relationship with multiple implications

Authors :
Massimiliano G. Bianchi
Martina Chiu
Giuseppe Taurino
Enrico Bergamaschi
Francesca Turroni
Leonardo Mancabelli
Giulia Longhi
Marco Ventura
Ovidio Bussolati
Source :
Journal of Nanobiotechnology, Vol 22, Iss 1, Pp 1-19 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
BMC, 2024.

Abstract

Abstract Amorphous silica nanoparticles (ASNP) are among the nanomaterials that are produced in large quantities. ASNP have been present for a long time in several fast-moving consumer products, several of which imply exposure of the gastrointestinal tract, such as toothpastes, food additives, drug excipients, and carriers. Consolidated use and experimental evidence have consistently pointed to the very low acute toxicity and limited absorption of ASNP. However, slow absorption implies prolonged exposure of the intestinal epithelium to ASNP, with documented effects on intestinal permeability and immune gut homeostasis. These effects could explain the hepatic toxicity observed after oral administration of ASNP in animals. More recently, the role of microbiota in these and other ASNP effects has attracted increasing interest in parallel with the recognition of the role of microbiota in a variety of conditions. Although evidence for nanomaterial effects on microbiota is particularly abundant for materials endowed with bactericidal activities, a growing body of recent experimental data indicates that ASNPs also modify microbiota. The implications of these effects are recounted in this contribution, along with a discussion of the more important open issues and recommendations for future research. Graphical Abstract

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14773155
Volume :
22
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.5954f1db9c694e9f9423d284b7a97c53
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-024-02305-x