Gold Nanoparticles Can Disrupt Cellular Cycle Of Fat-Storing Cells

According to a new study, gold nanoparticles from personal care products, solar cells and certain drug delivery agents can accelerate aging and the onset of diabetes. These particles can also delay wound healing and inhibit fat storage in the body.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Tatsiana Mironava, a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Molecular Engineering at Stony Brook University. They found that contrary to popular belief, gold can disrupt the normal working of cells, especially the cells that store fat. Gold particles are considered good for transporting drugs in the body as they are compatible with the tissues and are smaller than the cell.

In the study, researchers exposed human fat cells (adipose tissue) to gold nanoparticles to find if the particles disrupted the cellular function. The adipose tissue acts like a kind of padding around vital organs and insulates the body from heat and cold.

Researchers found that these particles readily entered the cells and disrupted essential functions like cell-division, movement and collagen-contraction. The cell had no way of eliminating the gold particles. Also, the gold particles disrupted the genetic regulation of the cell.

"Reductions caused by gold nanoparticles can result in systemic changes to the body," said professor Mironava in a news release. "Since they have been considered inert and essentially harmless, it was assumed that pure gold nanoparticles would also be safe. Evidence to the contrary is beginning to emerge."

Recent studies have also shown that gold particles may not be as compatible with humans cells as previously thought. According to this article, gold nanoparticles might be toxic, but there are ways to detoxify these particles.

In the present study, researchers also found that gold particles negatively affected the functioning of adult stem cells. The presence of these particles reduced the release of adiponectin, a protein that's important in metabolism.  

"We have learned that careful consideration and the choice of size, concentration and the duration of the clinical application of gold nanoparticles is warranted. The good news is that when the nanoparticles were removed, normal functions were eventually restored," added Mironava

The study is published in the journal Nanotoxicology.