Some Methodological Aspects in Studies of Metal Nanoparticles’ Toxicity towards Cultured Cells

Abstract

Some actual questions arising in studies of the toxic effects of metal nanoparticle water solutions on cultured cells are considered. First, basic conditions required for the correct determination of nanoparticle size effect; the arguments are adduced in favor of the use of number nanoparticle concentration instead of the conventional mass one. Second, the problem of invalidity of the Smoluchowski equation; for charged nanoparticles the error in zeta potential value calculated from the measured electrophoretic mobility by the Smoluchowski equation cannot be neglected. Third, for the nanoparticles stabilized with surfactants, elucidation of the mechanism of cytotoxicity should include the determination of separate contributions of surfactant molecules and micelles into the total effect on cell viability.