Nanotoxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles to erythrocyte in vitro

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been considered as non-toxic mineral particles widely used in the fields like cosmetics, food and drug. When the scale come to nanometer, TiO2 nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) exhibits multiple specific characteristics coupled with unknown risks on health. The purpose of this study was to systematically research the influence of nano-TiO2 on erythrocyte. The results indicated that the erythrocytes treated with nano-TiO2 underwent abnormal sedimentation, hemagglutination and dose dependent hemolysis, totally differing from those treated with micro-TiO2. The ghost cells were firstly investigated by using ultra-thin cell section in the case under nano-TiO2. The mechanism of such adverse effects is (1) the attachment around erythrocyte change the surface native properties and ultimately lead to hemoagglutination; (2) the content leak to the outside of erythrocyte through the breakage induced by both the nano-TiO2 trans-membrane and the oxidative stress under nano-TiO2. Our findings imply that nano-TiO2 may have potential toxicity to human being health.