Toxicity Evaluation of Selenium Nanoparticles in Early Life Stages of Zebrafish

Le résumé fourni par la source

The rapid advancement of nanotechnology necessitates innovative approaches to evaluate the safety of nanoscale materials. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a promising model for toxicity assessments due to their physiological and genetic similarities to vertebrates, rapid development, and transparent embryos. Selenium, a vital micronutrient with antioxidant and anticancer properties, is limited by its narrow therapeutic range, where supra-nutritional doses can be toxic. In various animal models, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been proposed as a less toxic alternative to traditional selenium forms, such as selenite. This study investigates the comparative toxicity of SeNPs, synthesized via L-ascorbic acid reduction, and sodium selenite on early life stages of zebrafish. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of SeNPs and sodium selenite in aqueous solutions, with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) serving as a negative control. Over 72 hours, key developmental parameters, including heartbeat, mortality, hatching, and malformation rates, were monitored at 24-hour intervals. Statistical analysis indicated that SeNPs exerted greater toxic effects on zebrafish embryos compared to selenite, as evidenced by higher rates of mortality and malformations. Notably, at low concentrations, both SeNPs and selenite enhanced hatching rates, suggesting a potential stimulatory effect. These findings underscore the need for careful consideration of SeNP toxicity in biomedical applications and highlight the utility of zebrafish as a model for nanotoxicology studies.

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