Nanostructures: between natural environment and medical practice

• Published in: Reviews on environmental health Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 295 - 307
• Main Authors: Trovato, Maria Concetta, Andronico, Daniele, Sciacchitano, Salvatore, Ruggeri, Rosaria Maddalena, Picerno, Isa, Di Pietro, Angela, Visalli, Giuseppa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany De Gruyter 25.09.2018; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes; Cell membranes; Drug delivery; Drug delivery systems; Environment; Environmental health; Epidemiology; Health risks; Humans; Iron; Iron - toxicity; Medical practices; Metal Nanoparticles - toxicity; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Nanostructures - adverse effects; Nanotechnology; Nanotubes; Nanotubes, Carbon - toxicity; Natural environment; Papillary thyroid carcinoma; Sicily - epidemiology; theranosis; Thyroid; Thyroid cancer; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary - chemically induced; Thyroid Cancer, Papillary - epidemiology; Thyroid gland; Toxicity; Transport; volcanic ash; Volcanic Eruptions - adverse effects; volcanic ash; nanotubes; nanoparticles; papillary thyroid carcinoma; theranosis
• ISSN: 0048-7554; 2191-0308; 2191-0308
• DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2017-0036

Nanoparticles (NPs) are small structures under 100 nm in dimension. Interrelationships among the morphological parameters and toxicity of NPs have been the focus of several investigations that assessed potential health risk in environmentally-exposed subjects and the realistic uses of NPs in medical practice. In the current review, we provide a summary of the cellular mechanisms of membrane-mediated transport, including old and novel molecules that transport nanostructures across cellular membranes. The effects of geochemical exposure to natural NPs are evaluated through epidemiological data and cancerous pathways activated by Fe NPs. Specifically, we discuss screening for papillary thyroid carcinomas in the inhabitants of the Sicilian volcanic area surrounding Mount Etna to compare the incidence of thyroid carcinoma in this population. Lastly, considering the increased production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), we examine the toxicity and potential use of these engineered NPs in drug delivery of an extensive amount of therapeutic and imaging molecules (theranosis) that can be conjugated to CNTs.