Graphene oxide-silver nanoparticle hybrid material: an integrated nanosafety study in zebrafish embryos

This work reports an integrated nanosafety study including the synthesis and characterization of the graphene oxide-silver nanoparticle hybrid material (GO-AgNPs) and its nano-ecotoxicity evaluation in the zebrafish embryo model. The influences of natural organic matter (NOM) and a chorion embryo membrane were considered in this study, looking towards more environmentally realistic scenarios and standardized nanotoxicity testing. The nanohybrid was successfully synthesized using the NaBH₄ aqueous method, and AgNPs (~ 5.8 nm) were evenly distributed over the GO surface. GO-AgNPs showed a dose-response acute toxicity: the LC₅₀ was 1.5 mg L^-1 for chorionated embryos. The removal of chorion, however, increased this toxic effect by 50%. Furthermore, the presence of NOM mitigated mortality, and LC₅₀ for GO-AgNPs changed respectively from 2.3 to 1.2 mg L^-1 for chorionated and de-chorionated embryos. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the ingestion of GO by embryos; but without displaying acute toxicity up to 100 mg L^-1, indicating that the silver drove toxicity down. Additionally, it was observed that silver nanoparticle dissolution has a minimal effect on these observed toxicity results. Finally, understanding the influence of chorion membranes and NOM is a critical step towards the standardization of testing for zebrafish embryo toxicity in safety assessments and regulatory issues.

Developmental toxicity potential of paclobutrazol in the rat

Paclobutrazol is used as a fungicide and as a plant growth regulator, but there are few studies about its potential toxic effects. Experiments were conducted to determine whether this compound has adverse effects on the reproduction and development of offspring. The influence of 1.0 mg/kg paclobutrazol (10 x the acceptable daily intake-ADI), by oral exposure during gestational organogenesis of rats, was evaluated on maturational and behavioural aspects of offspring development. This dose did not promote evidence of maternal toxicity and the weight of gravid uterus, fetus, and ovary on days 16 and 20 of pregnancy were not affected. Also, the pesticide did not affect body weight gain of the dams and offspring. However, the pups' survival at weaning was impaired by paclobutrazol. Beyond that, study of the functional state of rat pups' nervous system at different stages of postnatal development revealed some differences in treated ones. Damage was observed in the expression of acoustic startle reflex and altered locomotion and/or rearing in an open-field apparatus in treated pups depending on their age. There were no observed alterations in swimming behaviour. The data support further studies of the potentially toxic effects that exposing mothers to this pesticide may have on their litters.