Figure 5. Mitochondrial integrity and condition were assayed with the ROS generation and transition pore formation tests.

It was clearly evident that the NTs induced ROS production, especially nuclear ROS (d). The nuclear ROS in the treatment group was found to be increased by 7 fold than the control (e). The mitochondrial pore induction investigation revealed the absence of any distorted signals from the mitochondrial region (l) with discrete calcein signaling (k), indicative of a properly functioning mitochondrial system. (Scale bars represent 10 μm). It is evident from this assay that though the mitochondrial apparatus seems to be healthy and functioning properly, nuclear ROS is significantly enhanced on TiO₂ NTs exposure, which may be the precursor for numerous distortions in nuclear functioning.