The risk evaluation of tungsten oxide nanoparticles in cultured rat liver cells for its safe applications in nanotechnology

Tungsten (VI) oxide (WO3) nanoparticles (NPs) are used for many industrial purposes in everyday life. However, their effects on human health have not been sufficiently evaluated. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the toxicity potentials of various concentrations (0 to 1000 ppm) of WO3 NPs (<100 nm particle size) in cultured primary rat hepatocytes. The results of cell viability assay showed that the higher concentrations of dispersed WO3 NPs (300, 500 and 1000 ppm) caused significant (p<0.05) decreases of cell viability. Also, dose dependent negative alterations were observed in oxidative status and antioxidant capacity levels after the application of WO3 in cultured rat primary hepatocytes. The results of genotoxicity tests revealed that these NPs did not cause significant increases of micronucleated hepatocytes (MNHEPs) but increased 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) levels as compared to the control culture.