tellurium and Kidney-Diseases

Quantum dots have drawn tremendous attention in the field of in vitro and small animal in vivo fluorescence imaging in the last decade. However, concerns over the cytotoxicity of their heavy metal constituents have limited their use in clinical applications. Here, we report our comparative studies on the toxicities of quantum dots (QDs) and silica coated CdTe nanoparticles (NPs) to mice after intravenous injection. The blood cells analysis showed significant increased level of white blood cells (WBCs) in groups treated with CdTe QDs as compared to the control while red blood cells (RBCs) and platelet counts were normal in treated as well as control groups. The concentration of biochemical markers of hepatic damage, alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were in the normal range in all the groups. However, renal function analyses of mice showed significantly increased in the concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CREA) in mice treated with CdTe QDs while remained within normal ranges in both the CdTe@SiO2 NPs and control group. The results of histopathology showed that the CdTe QDs caused mild nephrotoxicity while other organs were normal and no abnormalities were detected in control and CdTe@SiO2 treated group. These findings suggest that the nephrotoxicity could be minimized by silica coating which would be useful for many biomedical applications.

Topics: Animals; Cadmium Compounds; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; Kidney Diseases; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nanoparticles; Quantum Dots; Silicon Dioxide; Tellurium

QD705 is a cadmium/selenium/tellurium (Cd/Se/Te)-based quantum dot with good potential for biomedical applications. Although the biological fate of QD705 is established, its chemical fate in the biological system is still unknown. Since the chemical nature of Cd in QD705 (either stays as bounded Cd or becomes free Cd) is closely related to the toxicity of this nanocrystal, information on its chemical fate is critically needed. In this study we investigated the chemical fate of QD705 in the kidneys of mice. We used the molar ratio of Cd and Te (increased Cd/Te ratio signifies increased Cd release from QD705) and the induction of tissue metallothionein (MT) as markers for elevated free Cd in tissues. Our study indicated that 100% of QD705 (measured as Cd) was still retained in the body 16 weeks after exposure, with significant time redistribution to the kidneys. Furthermore, there were an elevation in both the molar Cd/Te ratio and MT-1 expression in the kidneys, suggesting that free Cd was released from QD705. Thus QD705 is not as stable or biologically inert as many may have once believed. Our study demonstrated that free Cd indeed can be released from QD705 in the kidneys and increases the risk of renal toxicity.

Topics: Animals; Cadmium Compounds; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Male; Materials Testing; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Quantum Dots; Selenium Compounds; Tellurium

Topics: Brain Diseases; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Radioisotopes; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium; Tellurium; Time Factors

Topics: Abscess; Acid Phosphatase; Agar; Animals; Cell Division; Cell Membrane; Cell Nucleus; Cell Wall; Coagulase; Cytoplasm; Histocytochemistry; Kidney Diseases; Mice; Microscopy, Electron; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Oxidation-Reduction; Protoplasts; Rodent Diseases; Staphylococcus; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Tellurium