Organ and Non-organ-Directed Nanotoxicity

Abstract

Humans are exposed to various nanoscale materials since childhood, and as such have become a threat to human life. Because of their small size, Nanoparticles (NPs) find their way easily to enter the human body and cross the various biological barriers and may reach the most sensitive organs. On the basis of available experimental models, it may be difficult to judge their toxicity. NPs may interfere with the normal physiological mechanisms of the embryos, growing animals, and adults, and it is indispensable to understand their potentially direct or indirect harmful effects on living organisms including human beings. The interaction between NPs and cell triggers a cascade of molecular events which could induce toxicity and cell death. Although, no mechanisms unique to NPs have yet been identified, however, some NPs are known to induce inflammatory changes, induction of reactive oxygen species, and the consequential oxidative stress in different cells of various tissues. This chapter briefly describes the toxicity of NPs vs. larger particles, influence of various factors, and organ and non-organ-directed toxicity in various tissues.