Is there a way to protect human immune cells against nanocytotoxicity?

The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared by chemical reduction with sodium hypophosphite as a reducing agent and sodium hexametaphosphate as a stabilising agent were highly cytotoxic against human cells (U-937 and HL-60). The aim of the study was to determine the impact of selected antioxidants: ascorbic acid (AA), gallic acid (GA), scavenger (trolox (TX)) and Ag+ chelator (N-acetylcysteine, NAC) on viability, modulation of inflammatory response and apoptosis index of cells treated by AgNPs. Selected protectants added individually or together affects the viability of cells treated by AgNPs (1 mg/L). The mixtures assuring the most efficient defense against AgNPs were: AgNPs + TX + AA, AgNPs + GA + AA, AgNPs + TX + GA + AA and AgNPs + TX + GA + AA + NAC which synergistically interact in the mixture. The greatest reduction in IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels was found for the mixture containing AgNPs + TX + GA + AA. Mixture of this composition exhibited also the strongest anti-apoptotic effect. Highly cytotoxic AgNPs may not damage human cells if cytoprotectants are present.