The effects of non-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles with different diameters on human erythrocyte membrane and morphology

In this study, the potential toxicity of non-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) in human eryth-rocytes has been assessed. The effect of PS-NPs with different diameters (-30 nm,-45 nm,-70 nm) on fluidity of erythrocytes membrane, red blood cells shape, as well as haemolysis of these cells has been investigated. Erythrocytes were incubated for 24 h with non-functionalized PS-NPs in concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 200 & mu;g/mL in order to study haemolysis and from 0.001 to 10 & mu;g/mL to determine other parameters. Fluidity was estimated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and the fluorimetric method. It has been shown that PS-NPs induced haemolysis, caused changes in the fluidity of red blood cells membrane, and altered their shape. Non-functionalized PS-NPs increased the membrane stiffness in the hydrophobic region of hydrocarbon chains of fatty acids. The observed changes in haemolysis and morphology were dependent on the size of the nanoparticles. The smallest PS-NPs of-30 nm (with the smallest absolute value of the negative zeta potential-29.68 mV) induced the greatest haemolysis, while the largest PS-NPs of-70 nm (with the highest absolute value of the negative zeta potential-42.00 mV) caused the greatest changes in erythrocyte shape and stomatocytes formation.

Automated summary

In this study, the potential toxicity of non-functionalized polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on human erythrocytes was evaluated. PS-NPs with different diameters (-30 nm, -45 nm, -70 nm) were found to induce haemolysis, alter the fluidity of erythrocyte membrane, and change the shape of the cells. The observed effects were dependent on the size of the nanoparticles, with the smallest PS-NPs causing the greatest haemolysis and the largest PS-NPs causing the greatest changes in erythrocyte shape and stomatocytes formation.