Effect of nanomaterials on the compound action potential of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas

Abstract

Little is known about the effects of manufactured nanomaterials on the function of nerves. The experiment aimed to test the effects of three different nanomaterials (1 mg l^-1 of TiO₂ NPs, Ag NPs or SWCNT) on the compound action potential of the shore crab (Carcinus maenas) compared with an appropriate bulk powder or metal salt control (bulk TiO₂ powder, AgNO₃ and carbon black respectively). In single action potential recordings, there were no effects of any of the nanomaterials on the peak amplitude, duration, rate of rise (depolarisation), or rate of decrease (repolarisation) of the compound action potential in crab saline, despite settling of each nanomaterial directly onto the nerve preparation. The ability of the crab nerve to be stimulated to tetanus was also unaffected by exposure to the nanomaterials compared with the appropriate bulk powder or metal salt control. Solvent controls with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) also had no effect on action potentials. Overall, the study concludes that there were no effects of the materials at the concentrations tested on the compound action potential of the shore crab in physiological saline.

Keywords::

• Action potential
• tetanus
• single-walled carbon nanotubes
• titanium dioxide nanoparticles
• silver nanoparticles
• neurotoxicity
• nerves

Acknowledgments

Kind thanks to Dr David Boyle, who supported many aspects of the project, thanks also to those that provided technical assistance at Plymouth: Andrew Atfield, William Vevers, Dr Andrew Fisher and Peter Bond.