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Junior Research Group Nanotoxicology: Oral uptake and action of organic nanoparticles in the intestine and liver (OAWO-NANO)

Project

Food and consumer protection

This project contributes to the research aim 'Food and consumer protection'. Which funding institutions are active for this aim? What are the sub-aims? Take a look:
Food and consumer protection


Project code: BfR-LMS-08-1323-102
Contract period: 01.08.2017 - 31.07.2020
Purpose of research: Experimental development

Nanotechnology is widely used in food and consumer products. Organic nanoparticles are incresingly used in the food industry to establish new products in the category of food supplements. They are supposed and commercialized to increase bioavailability of vitamins or plant ingredients. Concerning this, there is almost no scientific data regarding the risk assessment available. Up to now, mostly polystyrene particles were used as reference materials. In this project, other plastic materials are also in the focus of research. Published data shows that consumers are exposed orally to microplastics. In animal studies, bioavailability of orally ingested microplastics has been demosntrated. Data concerning toxicologically relevant endpoints are still missing, as well as data concerning the quantity of intestinal uptake and biodistribution. Nanoplastics could, due to its smaller size, pass biological barriers easier than microplastics and thus display higher bioavailability. In addition, it could function as a carrier for unwanted contaminants, like softeners or potential toxic adsorbances (like PAKs) from the environment. They could accumulate in tissues and thereby cause damage or restrict nutrient uptake in the human body. There is a big lack of knowledge which has recently been discussed by the EFSA. Hence, one focus of the junior research group lies on organic nanoplastics, concerning the improvement fo analytiscal techniques as well as the evaluation of toxic potential of the particles themselves and the adsorbed contaminants. So, the group focusses on research topics which are national and international urgently required. In the context mentioned above, this project will focus on uptake and impact of nano- and microplastics in intestine and liver. Different in vitro models of the intestinal epithelium (Caco-2 and cocultures) will be used as well as liver cell models (HepG2 and HepaRG). As model particles, polystyrene particles and other common materials are used. Cellular endpoints like cell viability, uptake and transport at the intestinal barrier as well as toxicological impact in long-term-studies on intestinal and liver cells will be investigated. The junior research group will not only focus on organic nanoparticles. Deriving from previous projects focusing on silver-, iron- and aluminium-containing nanoparticles questions have emerged concerning the impact of particle solubility, agglomeration and surface chacarteristics like protein corona composition. In this project, iron- and zinc-containing nanoparticles will be analyzed with respect to these open questions, because different solubility and surface chemistry behavior are expected, that could influence cellular uptake and toxicological mode of action.

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Subjects

Framework programme

BMEL Frameworkprogramme 2008

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