Use of N-acetylcysteine in remediation of silver nanoparticles-contaminated soil: toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics approach on Enchytraeus crypticus

• Grant number: 18/24658-9
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Effective date (Start): March 30, 2019
• Effective date (End): June 29, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Bispo de Jesus
• Grantee: Monique Culturato Padilha Mendonça
• Supervisor abroad: Cornelis Adrianus Maria Van Gestel
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Local de pesquisa : University Amsterdam (VU), Netherlands
• Associated to the scholarship: 16/03765-6 - In vitro and in vivo determination of toxicological profile of nanoformulations, BP.PD

Abstract

The widespread production and use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in consumer and medical products have raised environmental and human health concerns. Once in the environment, the soil is major sinks of AgNPs, and invertebrates are directly exposed to this compound. Currently, there is no effective soil remediation able to prevent or reduce the potential negative effects of silver contamination on living organisms. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that thiol-containing compounds (e.g., N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and reduced glutathione (GSH)) can reverse the toxic effects of AgNPs in the soil invertebrate Enchytraeus crypticus and in the vertebrate Rattus norvegicus (Wistar rats). However, the mechanism of action remains still an open question. In order to advance in the understanding about how these compounds act on the recovery of animals exposed to AgNP-contaminated soil, we are applying for three months leave to be spent in the laboratory of Prof. Cornelis A. M. van Gestel. Prof. van Gestel has extensive experience in standard soil species and toxicokinetics-toxicodynamics models. It is worth mentioning that the long-term goal of this project is to implement the use of E. crypticus in nanoecotoxicological studies, as well as an alternative organism to be applied in toxicological screening tests of new drugs/nanoparticles at our Brazilian laboratory, thus enabling the continuity of this research within the Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, UNICAMP.