Considerations of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry techniques for characterizing the dissolution of metal-based nanomaterials in biological tissues

Dissolution of metal-based nanomaterials (MNMs) leads to the release of metal ion species; this phenomenon is a major concern affecting the widespread application of MNMs because it can affect their subsequent biodistribution patterns and toxic responses toward living biological systems. It is crucial that we thoroughly understand the dissolution behavior and chemical fate-and associated health effects-of MNMs when assessing their safety considerations. To date, however, quantitative characterization of the transformations of MNMs within living animal bodies has remained a methodological challenge. In this review, we address the technical issues, the state of the art, and the limitations of currently available sample preparation procedures, as well as the various differentiation schemes coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques for analysis, that have been employed to reveal MNM dissolution in complicated biological tissue samples. In addition, we highlight the importance of developing new analytical strategies for ICP-MS to facilitate unbiased investigations into the dissolution behavior of MNMs with respect to their long-term biological effects and nanotoxicological properties.