Abstract Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in numerous industries and areas of daily life, mainly as antimicrobial agents. The particles size is very important, but still not suffi ciently recognized parameter infl uencing the toxicity of nanosilver. The aim of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of AgNPs with different particle size (~ 10, 40 and 100 nm). The study was conducted on both reproductive and pulmonary cells (CHO-9, 15P-1 and RAW264.7). We tested the effects of AgNPs on cell viability, cell membrane integrity, mitochondrial metabolic activity, lipid peroxidation, total oxidative and antioxidative status of cells and oxidative DNA damage. All kinds of AgNPs showed strong cytotoxic activity at low concentrations (2÷13 μg/ml), and caused an overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at concentrations lower than cytotoxic ones. The ROS being formed in the cells induced oxidative damage of DNA in alkaline comet assay. The most toxic was AgNPs<10 nm. The results indicate that the silver nanoparticles, especially less than 10 nm, may be harmful to the organisms. Therefore, risk should be considered when using nanosilver preparations and provide appropriate protective measures when they are applied.

中文翻译：

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不同尺寸的银纳米粒子对生殖和呼吸系统细胞的细胞毒性和氧代谢障碍的影响

摘要 银纳米粒子（AgNPs）广泛应用于众多行业和日常生活领域，主要作为抗菌剂。粒径是非常重要的，但仍然没有充分认识到影响纳米银毒性的参数。本研究的目的是研究不同粒径 (~ 10、40 和 100 nm) 的 AgNPs 的细胞毒性作用。该研究针对生殖细胞和肺细胞（CHO-9、15P-1 和 RAW264.7）进行。我们测试了 AgNPs 对细胞活力、细胞膜完整性、线粒体代谢活性、脂质过氧化、细胞的总氧化和抗氧化状态以及氧化性 DNA 损伤的影响。所有种类的 AgNPs 在低浓度（2÷13 μg/ml）时都表现出很强的细胞毒活性，并导致浓度低于细胞毒性物质的活性氧 (ROS) 过量产生。在碱性彗星试验中，细胞中形成的 ROS 诱导了 DNA 的氧化损伤。毒性最大的是AgNP<10 nm。结果表明，银纳米颗粒，尤其是小于 10 nm 的，可能对生物体有害。因此，在使用纳米银制剂时应考虑风险，并在应用时提供适当的保护措施。