In vivo accumulation of biofunctionalized AgNPs using spirulina

Abstract

The 4.7 nm polyethylene glycol-stabilized AgNPs were functionalized with spirulina culture during a cultivation cycle. Experiments with laboratory animals were carried out at the Institute of Physiology and Sanocreatology, the Laboratory of Physiology of Stress, Adaptation and General Sanocreatology, and in the Institute’s vivarium. AgNPs were administered to animals of the experimental group at a dose of 1 μg Ag/day/animal. Laboratory animals were divided into several groups: two control groups: rats normally kept without food additives and rats fed with spirulina biomass; and two experimental groups: rats treated with silver nanoparticles and an animal group treated with functionalized silver nanoparticles using spirulina. The experience included an administration period of 28 days followed and a 28 days clearance period. Ag was determined by neutron activation analysis (NAA) in different organs after the animals were sacrificed. In the experimental group treated with AgNPs, the maximum concentrations of 0.145-0.150 μg/g Ag were determined in brain, liver and kidney tissues. The concentration of 0.09 μg/g Ag was determined in the spleen. In this case, no accumulation of silver was found in testicular and ovarian tissues. For AgNP-Spirulina, the highest conte nt of 0.136 μg/g silver was determined