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Original Article

The acute toxic effects of silver nanoparticles on myocardial transmembrane potential, INa and IK1 channels and heart rhythm in mice

, , , , &
Pages 827-837 | Received 03 Mar 2017, Accepted 09 Aug 2017, Published online: 23 Aug 2017
 

Abstract

This study focused on the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on cardiac electrophysiology which is rarely investigated. We found that AgNPs (10−9–10−6 g/ml) concentration-dependently depolarized the resting potential, diminished the action potential, and finally led to loss of excitability in mice cardiac papillary muscle cells in vitro. In cultured neonatal mice cardiomyocytes, AgNPs (10−9–10−7 g/ml) concentration-dependently decreased the Na+ currents (INa), accelerated the activation, and delayed the inactivation and recovery of Na+ channels from inactivation within 5 min. AgNPs at 10−8 g/ml also rapidly decreased the inwardly rectifying K+ currents (IK1) and delayed the activation of IK1 channels. Intravenous injection of AgNPs at 3 mg/kg only decreased the heart rate, while at ≥4 mg/kg sequentially induced sinus bradycardia, complete atrio-ventricular conduction block, and cardiac asystole. AgNPs at 10−10–10−6 g/ml did not increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and only at 10−6 g/ml mildly induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in the cardiomyocytes within 5 min. Endocytosis of AgNPs by cardiomyocytes was not observed within 5 min, but was observed 1 h after exposing to AgNPs. Comparative Ag+ (≤0.02% of the AgNPs) could not induce above toxicities. We conclude that AgNPs exert rapid toxic effects on myocardial electrophysiology and induce lethal bradyarrhythmias. These acute toxicities are likely due to direct effects of AgNPs on ion channels at the nano-scale level, but not caused by Ag+, ROS, and membrane injury. These findings provide warning to the nanomedical practice using AgNPs.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

CAMS10.13039/5011000033452016-I2M-3-004
National Natural Science Foundation of China10.13039/50110000180981670313
This work was supported by CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences (CIFMS) [2016-I2M-3-004] and a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) [81670313].

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