Models for oral uptake of nanoparticles in consumer products

Abstract

Presently, many consumer products contain nano-sized materials (NMs) to improve material properties, product quality and ease of use. NMs in food additives and in cosmetic articles (e.g., tooth paste) may be taken up by the oral route. As adverse effects of environmental nanoparticles, like ultrafine particles, have been reported, consumers worry about potential risks when using products containing NMs. The review focuses on metal and metal oxide NMs as common additives in tooth paste and in food industry and exposure by the oral route. Testing of NMs for oral exposure is very complex because differences in the diet, in mucus secretion and composition, in pH, in gastrointestinal transit time and in gastrointestinal flora influence NM uptake. Acellular (mucus, saliva) and epithelial layer of the orogastrointestinal barrier are described. Expected exposure doses, interaction of the NMs with mucus and permeation through the epithelium as well as in vivo data are mentioned. The role of in vitro models for the study of parameters relevant for ingested NMs is discussed.

1. Introduction

Nanomaterials (NMs) are already included in many consumer products (clothing, food, cosmetics, etc.) to improve handling, stability and efficacy of these products. In nanomedicine nanoparticles may find application in drug delivery, bio-imaging and regenerative medicine. Whereas developments in nanomedicine aim to improve cellular uptake and permeation of NMs to improve efficacy, consumers and workers worry about the risks of non-intended uptake. This article is focused on the evaluation of risk by exposure to consumer products. Sources of NMs relevant for oral exposure comprise mainly cosmetics (sunscreen, lipsticks, skin creams, toothpaste) and food (packaging, storage life sensors, food additives, juice clarifiers). Whereas NMs in food are intended to be ingested, nanoparticles for instance in cosmetics and ingredients in food packaging may accidently get into the gastrointestinal tract. Major materials used in these products are: silver, and metal oxides of zinc, silica, and titanium (Hansen et al., 2008)). Nanosilver (Ag) is used in food packaging, amorphous silica (SiO₂) in food additives, titanium dioxide (TiO₂), gold (Au), platinum (Pt) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles in cosmetics, especially sunscreens and toothpastes. According to the Woodrow Wilson Nanotechnology Consumer Products Inventory 2011 Ag nanoparticles are the most commonly used new NM in consumer products followed by TiO₂, ZnO, platinum (Pt) and silicium oxide NMs (http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer/). Although gold NMs are also used in cosmetics, food packaging, beverage and toothpaste their main applications are in the medical field.

Decrease of particle size in the nanoscale has been identified as a main parameter for the increased toxicity of different materials. Polystyrene, for instance, is a very biocompatible polymer used in cell culture. Nanoparticles, however, made from this material are cytotoxic (Mayer et al., 2009). Accumulation of metal and metal oxide NMs is seen also in lower animals such as fruit flies, mussels, planktonic crustaceans, rainbow trouts and in plants (Harris and Bali, 2008; Pan and Wang, 2004; Panacek et al., 2011; Scown et al., 2009; Zhu et al., 2009). In laboratory animals accumulation of these particles especially in liver, spleen and kidney is seen (Bu et al., 2010; Chen et al., 2006; Kim et al., 2009, 2010; Meng et al., 2007; Park et al., 2011; Wang et al., 2007a; Zhang et al., 2010a).

2. Estimation of exposure

For physiologically relevant testing it would be important to have an approximate idea on the levels of NMs to which humans are exposed. This estimation is quite difficult to make. Models based on per capita daily intake of various foods combined with expected distributions of chemicals or biological hazards in food work less well with NMs. The content of ingredients in form of nanoparticles is generally not indicated in food, interaction with food compounds is expected and physical changes of particles in the gastrointestinal tract are likely.

Concentrations of metal and metal oxide in water and soil have been reported to reach 15.2 ng/l and 1.28 μg/kg for TiO₂, 0.76 ng/l and 22.7 ng/kg for silver and 0.01 μg/l and 0.093 μg/kg for ZnO, respectively (Gottschalk et al., 2009). Compared to other metal and metal oxide nanoparticles intake of TiO₂ by food is relatively high: Powell et al. (2010) estimate ingestion of 5 mg TiO₂/person/d with an unknown part of it in nanoform. Total dietary intake only of nano-TiO₂ is estimated to be 2.5 mg/individual/d (0.036 mg/kg for a person of 70 kg; (Lomer et al., 2000)). The intake of nano- and microparticles, however, shows great variations: 0–112 mg/individual/d has been reported (Lomer et al., 2004). Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles can accumulate in plants (Harris and Bali, 2008) and in animals of the food chain (Lankveld et al., 2010) and may reach considerably higher levels in humans. Consequently, chronic effects rather than acute toxic effects on the human organism are expected.

NMs are subjected to wide variations in the orogastrointestinal tract. pH variations from slightly acid to neutral in the oral cavity and in the small intestine to a very acid pH in the stomach have a strong effect on surface charge of the particles and, as a consequence, on agglomeration and cellular uptake. Differences in the pH between fasted and fed state are prominent in the stomach (Horter and Dressman, 2001). Even in healthy individuals gastrointestinal transit is by far not constant and shows considerable variation through the large intestine (Coupe et al., 1991). These effects are known to influence oral bioavailability of conventional drugs but are even more important for the effects of NMs because NMs readily adsorb proteins (Cedervall et al., 2007; Lynch et al., 2009), which on the one hand, determines biological actions and, on the other, influence the dispersion of nanoparticles. Carboxyl polystyrene particles, for instance show a high tendency of aggregation, when suspended in FBS-containing medium (Mayer et al., 2009; Xia et al., 2006). For other NMs like carbon nanotubes, protein has a dispersing effect (Bihari et al., 2008; Heister et al., 2010; Sager et al., 2007).

3. Uptake of particles

Permeation through the gastrointestinal barrier has been shown for micro- and nanoparticles. The absorption is estimated to be about 15–250 times higher for nanoparticles (Desai et al., 1996). These barriers consist of cellular (epithelium) and acellular parts (dead cells, mucus).

3.1. Acellular layers of the orogastrointestinal tract

For the entire tract, composed of the oral cavity, the esophagus, the stomach and the intestine, mucus represents an efficient acellular barrier. Mucus consists of mucin proteins (highly glycosylated extracellular proteins with characteristic gel-forming properties), antiseptic proteins (lysozyme) and other proteins (lactoferrin), inorganic salts and water. The major functions are the protection and the lubrication of the underlying tissue.

The saliva, which is produced by the salivary glands, mainly consists of water (up to 99.5%), inorganic salts, proteins, and mucins. The high molecular weight mucin MG1 can bind to the surface of the epithelium and build the so-called mucus layer, displaying the acellular barrier of the oral cavity (Bykov, 1996, 1997). The thickness of this mucus layer is different before and after swallowing and measures between 70 and 100 μm (Collins and Dawes, 1987; Harris and Robinson, 1992; Lagerlof and Dawes, 1984). It displays a thick gelatinous like layer, structured as a 3-dimensional network with high water-holding capacity. It is highly viscoelastic and displays a shear thinning gel acting as lubricant. It protects the epithelial cell layers from pathogens, toxins and particles and enables the exchange of nutrients, water and gases (Knowles and Boucher, 2002).

Once substances are swallowed they pass the esophagus. Esophageal glands, which are located throughout the esophagus, secrete mucus directly onto the surface (Squier and Kremer, 2001). Additionally, exocrine glands in the submucosa produce a secretion with high bicarbonate concentration. This is necessary to neutralize refluxing stomach acid (Long and Orlando, 1999).

The mucus of the following parts, stomach and small and large intestine, is mainly produced by intraepithelial cells. In the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) also exocrine glands in the submucosa are located. The thickness of the mucus layer shows high variations depending on the localization in the gastrointestinal tract. The mucus layer demonstrates maximal thickness in the stomach; thickness increases from proximal to distal parts of the small and large intestine (Atuma et al., 2001; Matsuo et al., 1997). Depending on the method used for the determination, the thickness of the mucus layer shows marked variation. Fixation of the tissues usually is accompanied by shrinking and lower values are obtained. Endoscopic ultrasound measurements indicate thickness of the mucus in the stomach of 897–1354 μm and in the rectum of 730–1136 μm (Huh et al., 2003) but variation may be quite high because the thickness is dictated by the interplay between mucus secretion by goblet cells and mucus erosion by mechanical shear and bacterial digestion, particularly in the lower gut (Corfield et al., 1992; Hoskins and Boulding, 1981).

Additionally, pH can vary. The pH of the mucus in the oral cavity is estimated to range around pH 6.6. Gastric mucus shows a wide pH range from 1 to 2 (luminal) to ∼7 (epithelial surface); (Schreiber and Scheid, 1997)).

3.2. Interaction of NMs with the mucus layer

The characteristics facilitating the passage through human mucus are relatively well known: electrostatic repulsion from negatively charged sugar moieties favors the penetration of positively charged hydrophilic molecules; the passage of lipophilic compounds is slow (Avdeef and Testa, 2002).

It was thought that nanoparticles are incapable to penetrate the mucus layer since recent studies demonstrated that specific viruses, like the Norwalk virus with a size of 38 nm and human papilloma virus with a size of 55 nm diffused in human mucus as rapidly as they do in water (Olmsted et al., 2001; Saltzman et al., 1994). The surface of viruses, which are able to permeate the mucus, is densely coated with positive and negative charges, thus, this net neutral surface charge prevents mucoadhesion (Olmsted et al., 2001). Since the pore size in (cervical) mucus is approximately 100 nm, it is suggested that small particles might also be capable to diffuse through mucus. Olmsted et al. (2001) demonstrated that small viruses diffused unhindered through mucus, whereas polystyrene microspheres in a size of 59 nm and covalently modified with carboxyl-groups, bound more tightly to mucins and bundled them into thick cables. Additional work by Dawson et al. (2003) reported that carboxyl and amine-modified polystyrene particles (100, 200 and 500 nm) were embedded in cystic fibrosis sputum. The positively charged particles penetrated more rapidly in the sputum than the negatively charged particles. Furthermore, smaller particles underwent a significantly faster transport. Lai et al. (2007) investigated polystyrene particles in a size range of 100–500 nm. The surfaces of the particles were covalently modified with a high density of low M.W. polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the diffusion in human mucus was studied. The results demonstrated that the neutral surface charge increased the diffusion rate of all particles. The large particles (200 nm and 500 nm) demonstrated a 6-fold and 4-fold lower effective diffusion-coefficient than that in water, whereas 100 nm particles were found to be immobile in mucus. Other studies showed that 14 nm latex particles, which were slightly negatively charged, cross the distal colon mucus gel layer within 2 min and 415 nm larges ones in 30 min, whereas 1 μm larges ones did not cross (Szentkuri, 1997). Non-biodegradable latex particles can rapidly permeate human mucus when they are coated with PEG. Surprisingly, 200 nm particles crossed the mucin layer faster than <100 nm NMs (Wang et al., 2007b). These findings suggest that the surface charge plays a crucial role in the transport rates of nanoparticles through a mucus layer.

Mucus lifetime is short and the fastest turnover (i.e., clearance time) is observed at surfaces with thinnest mucus layers. Thus, nanoparticles have to permeate quickly through this barrier to reach the underlying epithelia (Cone, 2009).

Local effects after oral exposure to NMs include abnormal mucus production, induced by TiO₂ nanoparticles in cultured ChaGo-K1 cells (Chen et al., 2011) and by silver nanoparticles in vivo (Jeong et al., 2010). Additionally, pH changes induced by NMs can change the pH-dependent aggregation of mucins (Bhaskar et al., 1991). In addition, positively charged NMs impede mucin swelling and thereby increase viscosity (Chen et al., 2010).

3.3. Epithelial layers of the orogastrointestinal tract

The epithelium generally represents the highest resistance against the passage of chemical compounds and NMs. Epithelial cells are polarized, they possess an apical surface facing an internal or external surface and a basal site, where they face the underlying tissue. Epithelia may consist of several layers and may vary in the height of the cells. Penetration through a monostratified squamous epithelium, like in endothelia (Fig. 1a), is easier than through the simple columnar epithelium in stomach and intestine (Fig. 1b) and the squamous epithelium of the oral cavity and the esophagus (Fig. 1c). The thickness of the non-keratinized squamous epithelium in the oral cavity ranges between 550 and 800 μm (Collins and Dawes, 1987; Harris and Robinson, 1992; Lagerlof and Dawes, 1984). The squamous epithelium of the esophagus shows a thickness of 300–500 μm (Takubo, 2009). The epithelium of the esophagus has the same structure as that of the buccal mucosa but is thinner and less variable (Diaz del Consuelo et al., 2005). The simple columnar epithelium in the gastrointestinal tract measures 20–25 μm (Atuma et al., 2001; Matsuo et al., 1997). In general, only one cell type forms the structural basis of the barrier: keratinocytes for the oral cavity and the esophagus, gastric epithelial cells for the stomach and enterocytes for the small and large intestine. The epithelial cells are linked together by intercellular junctions, which give the epithelial layer mechanical strength and restrict passage between cells. In the oral mucosa immune cells (Langerhans cells, lymphocytes) are embedded in the keratinocytes layer (Fig. 1d). The epithelium of the stomach contains mucus producing mucus neck cells, pepsinogen-producing gastric chief cells, gastric acid and intrinsic factor producing parietal cells and a variety of hormones (gastrin, serotonin, somatostatin, etc.) producing enteroendocrine cells (Fig. 1e). In the small intestine, cells belonging to the immune system (M-cells), enteroendocrine cells and goblet cells are embedded in a layer of enterocytes (Fig. 1f). M-cells are preferentially located in the epithelium overlying the Peyer's Patches, which is also called Follicle Associated Epithelium (FAE), and deliver foreign substances to the underlying tissues (mucosa lymphoid) to induce immune responses (Gerbert et al., 1996). M-cells, however, are also a potential portal for nanoparticles. The epithelium of the large intestine consists of enterocytes and goblet cells. When different cell types adjoin the barrier function of the epithelium is altered because the location and structure of these junctions differ between the cell types (Eom and Choi, 2009). All epithelia reside on a basal membrane, which separates them from the underlying connective tissue containing capillaries, lymph vessels, lymph follicles and peripheral nerves. To reach the systemic circulation by capillaries NMs have also to cross the basal membrane and the connective tissue.

Fig. 1.

Different thickness and heterogeneity of orogastrointestinal epithelia. Compared to the monostratified squamous epithelium of blood vessels (a) epithelia of the orogastrointestinal tract are much thicker: stratified non-keratinized squamous epithelium of the oral cavity and the esophagus (b) and simple columnar epithelium present in the stomach, small and large intestine. All epithelia reside on a basal lamina (BM). All epithelial layers are composed of different cell types. (d) In the oral cavity, Langerhans cells (LC) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (L) in addition to keratinocytes (KC) are present in the epithelial layer. The connective tissue below the epithelial layer contains dendritic cells (DC), macrophages (M) and lymphocytes (L). (e) The mucosa of the stomach consists of mucus-producing cells (MC), gastric acid producing cells (parietal cells, PC), pepsinogen-producing cells (chief cells, CC) and endocrine hormone producing enteroendocrine cells (EC). Cells of the immune systems are not shown. (f) In the small intestine, enterocytes (EnC), microfold (M-cells), goblet cells (GC), dendritic cells (DC) and intraepithelial lymphocytes (L) are linked together by tight junctions (TJ). These junctions show small differences in composition and location in the cell.

Figure adapted from Eom and Choi (2009).

3.4. Permeation through orogastrointestinal barriers in vitro

Epithelia can be permeated either by passage through the cells (transcellular) or by passage between the cells (paracellular). Physiological methods to evaluate interactions with biological barriers and to predict the effect of nanoparticles are highly demanded. Studies addressing permeation usually use transwell systems, where cells are cultured on filters. Moreover, diffusion-cells can be used to evaluate the penetration/permeation of NMs across excised tissues (Sudhakar et al., 2006). Studies on cell monolayers show that polystyrene particles can readily permeate the alveolar epithelium (Yacobi et al., 2008). By contrast, the rate of permeation of enterocyte (Caco-2 cell) monolayers by polystyrene particles without surface coating appears low (Geiser et al., 2005; Pietzonka et al., 2002). Gaumet et al. (2009) showed that small polystyrene particles were observed intracellularly in Caco-2 cells. Also TiO₂ nanoparticles appear to cross Caco-2 monolayers without disruption of junctional complexes and without causing cytotoxicity (Koeneman et al., 2010).

Since the plasma membrane of the cells forming the epithelial barrier is lipophilic, lipophilic substances are taken up passively by the transcellular route whereas hydrophilic drug compounds use the paracellular route. The penetration area of the paracellular route is extremely small compared to the transcellular route and restricted to polar substances below 1000 D. Paracellular transport is only passive. Nanoparticles are not expected to be able to use the paracellular route, because they are considerably larger than 1000 D. To get an idea about the relation of molecular weight and size: serum albumin with 66 kD has an almost sphere-like shape of 3 nm × 8 nm × 8 nm (Takizawa et al., 1992).

Transcellular passage by passive diffusion appears to be rare: although passage of cells by 22 nm TiO₂ particles was suggested to occur by passive diffusion (Geiser et al., 2005), other researchers described that Au-nanoparticles in sizes of 5–8 nm could not enter cells by passive diffusion ((Stoeger et al., 2006)). Active uptake by endocytosis is the likely mode of cellular uptake for metal and metal oxide NMs. Several endocytotic routes have been characterized, which are classified according to the coating with clathrin and the involvement of dynamin in the uptake. Main mechanisms are termed clathrin-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis and caveolae-dependent. Different classifications are used for the clathrin-independent and caveolae-independent routes. The classification by Sahay et al. (2010) is mainly based on the GTPases involved (Arf6-dependent, Cdc42/Arf1-dependent and RhoA-dependent endocytosis) and on the coat protein (Flotillin-dependent). Another nomenclature employs the term clathrin-independent carriers/glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein enriched compartment (GEEC)-type endocytosis as synonym for Cdc42/Arf1-dependent endocytosis and IL-2Rβ-dependent endocytosis for RhoA-dependent endocytosis (Doherty and McMahon, 2009). Independent of the route of entry, the cargos are mainly transported via endosomes to lysosomes (Fig. 2). Non-functionalized silver, TiO₂ and SiO₂ particles are mainly taken up by clathrin-mediated endocytosis (Chung et al., 2007; Greulich et al., 2011; He et al., 2009; Huang et al., 2005; Singh et al., 2007; Sun et al., 2008).

Fig. 2.

Active uptake mechanisms of NMs into cells. Major routes are macropinocytosis, clathrin-mediated endocytosis and caveolae-mediated and non-clathrin, non-caveolae mediated uptake. The later are subdivided into RhoA- (or IL-2Rβ-) dependent endocytosis, Cdc42/Arf1 or clathrin-independent cargo/glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein enriched compartment-dependent (GEEC) endocytosis, Arf6- dependent endocytosis and flotillin-dependent endocytosis. The content of macropinosomes (MP), clathrin-coated vesicles (CC) and GEEC is transported via early endosomes (EE) and late endosomes (LE) to lysosomes (L). Material taken up by caveolae-mediated endocytosis is transported via caveolosomes (Cav) either to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or to early endosomes. NMs may be removed from the cells by exocytotic vesicles (EV). Early endosomes may also fuse with the plasma membrane directly or through recycling endosomes (RE). In polarized cells transcytosis occurs via transport vesicles (TV). Cyto: cytoplasm.

Nanoparticles can leave the cells either by transcytosis or by exocytosis. Exocytosis of nanoparticles is not well studied and conflicting results were obtained: exocytosis of quantum dots was not consistently seen in the studies (Clift et al., 2008; Jiang et al., 2010). Transcytosis can occur through receptor-mediated uptake or via adsorptive-mediated uptake. Receptors for BSA, transferrin and opioid peptides functionalized NMs are expressed on several cell types and BSA-coated nanoparticles have been shown to transcytose through endothelial cells (Wang et al., 2009). For the gastrointestinal tract, however, this type of uptake is not relevant. Absorptive-mediated transcytosis is mediated by the interaction of positively charged substances with anionic sites of the plasma membrane: cationic nanoparticles had a greater potential than neutral or negatively charged ones (Harush-Frenkel et al., 2008). Additionally uncoated, not positively charged TiO₂ nanoparticles can cross the intestinal epithelium by the transcellular route (Koeneman et al., 2010).

As mentioned in Section 3.3, the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract is composed of various cell types and permeation through some types of cells is easier than through others. This situation can be mimicked also in vitro. Kerneis et al. (1997) constructed an intestinal in vitro co-culture model consisting of Caco-2 on inverted inserts and immune cells isolated from murine Peyer's patches. The first M-cell model was developed by Gullberg et al. (2000) using Caco-2 (normally oriented inserts) and Raji cells. The group of des Rieux (des Rieux et al., 2005, 2007) improved the in vitro epithelial cell model and investigated the influence of the physicochemical properties on the transport (mechanism) of nanoparticles by M-cells. To this aim, Caco-2 and Raji B cells were co-cultured in transwells (to induce M-cell development). Both negatively charged and positively charged polystryrene particles were taken up by M-cells via the transcellular route. The transport was dependent on the concentration, the temperature and the size. Furthermore, the presence of cationic groups enhanced the transport due to electrostatic interactions between the particle surface structure and the cell surface. Compared with investigations carried out with a monoculture, the particle transport in the transwell system was 50-fold higher (des Rieux et al., 2005, 2007; Ruponen et al., 2004). Gullberg et al. (2006) studied the FAE and demonstrated that integrin-targeted nanoparticles are preferentially transported across the FAE into the Peyer's patches. These data suggest that integrin interaction is a dominating mechanism for improved particle uptake across the FAE. Although M cells are also located outside the FAE (villous-M cells), the transport of antigens and/or nanoparticles is mainly carried out by the FAE-M cells, since the mucus layer limits the particle uptake across the villous epithelium (Jang et al., 2004).

Some research has been carried out so far on the buccal mucosa. The permeability through excised porcine buccal mucosa was investigated with Franz diffusion cells to study the transport of nanoparticles across this tissue. The results demonstrated that polystyrene particles penetrated into the tissue due to endocytotic mechanisms (Roblegg et al., 2011). The most relevant barrier for negatively charged particles was the mucus layer together with the top third region of the epithelium. Positively charged particles, however, showed no interaction with the mucus layer and penetrated into deeper regions of the epithelium.

3.5. Permeation through barriers in vivo

Uptake of metallic silver from the environment is 10–20% in GI mainly in the stomach and the duodenum (Armitage et al., 1996). Recovery of 10% of the applied dose was also obtained for 60 nm polystyrene particles dosed at 14 mg/kg for 5 d to rats (Hillery et al., 1994). Fluorescent polystyrene particles in sizes between 2 and 20 μm are found in the Peyer Plaques of the ileum; 2 μm particles in addition also in mesenterial lymph nodes (Carr et al., 1996). The accumulation in the lymphatic tissues started 5 min after the application and was higher in proximal than in distal lymph nodes (Hazzard et al., 1996). Jani et al. (1990) evaluated the effect of the different sizes (50–100–200–300–1000–3000 nm) of polystyrene particles on gastrointestinal uptake. They found a size-dependent decrease of the uptake from 34% for 50 nm particles to 26% for 100 nm particles. The uptake rate of the larger particles was minimal. 6.6% of the dose was detected in liver, spleen, blood and bone marrow compared to 0.8% for 1000 nm particles.

In addition to particle size, dose and duration of the exposure are important for the interpretation of the data (Overview provided in Table 1). Independent from the material used, NMs up to 100 nm distribute into the organism after one single application (Jani et al., 1990). When multiple applications are performed also larger particles distribute outside of the gastrointestinal system (Jani et al., 1994). High dosing, species differences, choice of the tracer and methodology used for organ distribution complicate comparisons between different studies, as well as conclusions on nanoparticle effects. For instance, local effects at the gastrointestinal mucosa, liver and kidney damage and impairment of the immune system have been reported. Based on environmental data for nano-TiO₂, concentrations much higher than 0.4 mg/kg for acute toxicity appear unrealistic (Lomer et al., 2000). As many metals and metal oxides may accumulate, the evaluation of higher doses is justified. Nevertheless, data from repeated applications of ≥1 g/kg are not physiologically relevant. In broiler chicken hatchlings, which were treated with doses below 250 ng/kg silver nanoparticles (Ahmadi and Kurdestany, 2010; Ahmadi, 2009; Ahmadi et al., 2009), adverse effects were already detected at these low concentrations. The higher toxicity of the silver nanoparticles may either be due to interspecies differences or to the low age of the chicken. For correct tracing of the organ distribution the choice of the label and the mode of detection appear important. In the study of Jani et al. (1990) the label was potentially not stable and the localization of the label may not correspond to that of the particles. If NMs are only detected by chemical analysis it is not clear if they are accumulated in a dissolved form or as intact particles.

Table 1.

Oral exposure of rodents and broiler chicken (*) to metal and metal oxide particles contained in consumer products. The doses were delivered either by gavage and intragastrial injection (mg/kg) or in the drinking water (ppm, mg/l).

Particle (size)	Dose	Effect	Reference
Ag (14 nm)*	5–15–25 ppm for 42 d	Indication for oxidative stress in bood and for decreased immune function	Ahmadi and Kurdestany (2010)
Ag (14 nm)*	300–600–900 ppm for 56 d	No effect on blood chemistry and blood count, weight reduced at 900 ppm, no change in organ histology	Ahmadi (2009), Ahmadi et al. (2009)
Ag (15 nm)	2.5 mg/kg for 3 d	Local inflammation of the stomach	Cha et al. (2008)
Ag (56 nm)	30–125–500 mg/kg for 90 d	Liver damage at 125 mg/kg	Kim et al. (2010)
Ag (60 nm)	30–300–1000 mg/kg for 28 d	Highest tissue levels in stomach, kidney, liver and lungs, LOAEL of 300 mg/kg	Kim et al. (2008)
Ag (22–42–71–323 nm)	1 mg/kg for 14 d	Indication for liver damage, activation of B-lymphocytes	Park et al. (2010)
Au (4–10–28–58 nm)	200 mg/l for 7 d	Accumulation of smaller particles in kidney, liver, spleen, lung, brain. Larger particles accumulated in the GI tract	Hillyer and Albrecht (2001)
Au (13.5 nm)	137.5–2200 μg/kg for 14–28 d	Spleen enlargement, damage of intestinal mucosa	Zhang et al. (2010b)
Au (14 nm)	75–150–300 ppm for 28 d	No changes in blood chemistry, body weight and organ histology	Dhar et al. (2010)
Pt (1–6 nm)	9.75 mg/kg for 5 d	Little effect on protein expression	Katao et al. (2011)
TiO2 (5 nm)	62.5–125–250 mg/kg for 30 d	Reduction of body weight, indication for liver damage, pathological blood count at ≥125 mg/kg	Duan et al. (2010)
TiO2 (25 nm)	60–600 mg/l for 5 d	DNA-damage in various tissues	Trouiller et al. (2009)
TiO2 (<50 nm)	0.16–0.4–1 g/kg	Indication for liver damage, disturbance of energy and amino acid metabolism at 1 g/kg	Bu et al. (2010)
TiO2 (50–120 nm)	5 g/kg for 7 d	Liver and kidney damage only in combination with lead acetate	Zhang et al. (2010a)
TiO2 (25–80–155 nm)	Single dose of 5 g/kg	Minimal uptake, indication for liver and kidney damage	Wang et al. (2007a)
TiO2 (140 nm)	Single dose of 175–550–1750–5000 mg/kg	No mortality, no gross lesions at necropsy	Warheit et al. (2007)
TiO2 (500 nm)	12.5 mg/kg for 10 d	Uptake of particles 7% in GI tract, 5% in liver, lung, spleen, heart, kidney	Jani et al. (1994)
ZnO (120 nm)	5 g/kg for 14 d	Distribution in bone, liver, kidney, pancreas	Wang et al. (2008)

4. Action on compromised barriers

Few data have been published regarding the permeation through diseased barriers. Changes in mucus composition induced by Ag nanoparticles (Jeong et al., 2010), polystyrene particles and diesel exhaust increased mucus permeability and permeation of small molecules by a factor of 5 (McGill and Smyth, 2010). The adherence of polystyrene nanoparticles to inflamed colonic mucosa was much higher than to normal mucosa (Lamprecht et al., 2001). Also in the elaborated co-culture in vitro model developed by Leonhard et al. (2010) smaller particles (50 nm) polystyrene particles adhered better to the inflamed monolayer and were taken up into the cells, whereas larger particles only adhered to the cell surface. Inflammation appears to increase uptake and permeation of NMs in vitro and in vivo. Inflammation caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis increases the uptake of 100 nm carboxyl polystyrene particles in cell monolayers and in intestinal biopsies (Ragnarsson et al., 2008). In contrast to that, in the in vitro study by Leonhard et al. (2010) no influence on the translocation of the polystyrene particles was observed. Since in the in vitro studies lipopolysaccharide and not intact bacteria were used, effects by the living bacteria on cells, mucus production and/or viscosity may account for the observed differences.

5. Conclusion

The assessment of penetration and biological effects of ingested NMs presents many problems because it is very complex. Inter-individual differences in the composition, pH and thickness of the mucus layer, in the gastrointestinal flora and in gastrointestinal passage time complicate in vivo experiments. In the study of Loeschner et al. (2011) on organ distribution of 60 nm Ag nanoparticles great inter-individual variations were noticed although all animals were fed the same diet. Also differences in the diet are important.

For in vivo testing, rodents also may not be ideal models. Although men and rodents are omnivorous, function (e.g., region for absorption of food) and morphology of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., absence of gall bladder in rats) show considerable differences between rodents and humans (Kararli, 1995).

Apart from permeating themselves, NMs may have permeation enhancing properties for other substances. This phenomenon termed as ‘Trojan horse’ effect, was first identified for metal nanoparticles. Whereas plasma membranes restrict the cellular access for metal ions like silver cations, silver nanoparticles were readily internalized and intracellular silver concentrations were much higher than for silver ions (Navarro et al., 2008). Studies for uptake and toxicity should, therefore, include AgNO₃ for silver nanoparticles (Trojan horse effect) or bulk material.

Other important effects are linked to the tendency of NMs to absorb macromolecules. By adsorption of organic compounds also unintended molecules (undigested and unmetabolized compounds) may be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand adsorption to NMs may also prevent the uptake of necessary molecules (Alkhamis et al., 2009). Absorption may also be altered by a changed metabolization by enterocytes. Polystyrene and silver particles have been shown to inhibit the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes (Fröhlich et al., 2010; Lamb et al., 2010).

To obtain more information about penetration of the orogastrointestinal barriers and subsequent biological effects physiologically relevant in vitro models should be used, which enable the controlled variation of the most important parameters involved. Particle properties should be recorded in mucus of different pH and the extent of binding to proteins and other macromolecules should be studied. Physiologically relevant in vitro (co-culture) models including mucus should be established to investigate also the effect of changed mucus structure, inflammation and pH changes. It is obvious that also in vivo experiments are needed but without a good knowledge on the influence of the orogastrointestinal variations on particle parameters and penetration in vivo data may be difficult to interpret.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicting interests.