Synthesis and in vitro toxicity assessment of different nano-calcium phosphate nanoparticles

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1678-4324-2022200784

Nanoscale biomaterials are commonly used in a wide range of biomedical applications such as bone graft substitutes, gene delivery systems, and biologically active agents. On the other hand, the cytotoxic potential of these particles hasn't yet been studied comprehensively to understand whether or not they exert any negative impact on the cellular structures. Here, we undertook the synthesis of beta-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) and biphasic tricalcium phosphate (BCP) nanoparticles (NPs) and determine their concentration-dependent toxic effects in human fetal osteoblastic (hFOB 1.19) cell line. Firstly, BCP and β-TCP were synthesized using a water-based precipitation technique and characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The cytological effects of β-TCP and BCP at different concentrations (0-640 ppm) were evaluated by using 3- (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. The total oxidative status (TOS) parameter was used for investigating oxidative stress potentials of the NPs. In addition, the study assessed the DNA damage product 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-Oxo-dG) level in hFOB 1.19 cell cultures. The results indicated that the β-TCP (above 320 ppm) and BCP (above 80 ppm) NPs exhibited cytotoxicity effects on high concentrations. It was also observed that the oxidative stress increased relatively as the concentrations of NPs increased, aligning with the cytotoxicity results. However, the NPs concentrations of 160 ppm and above increased the level of 8-OH-dG. Consequently, there is a need for more systematic in vivo and in vitro approaches to the toxic effects of both nanoparticles.