Nitric-Acid Oxidized Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorns as a Potential Material for Bio-Applications-Toxicity and Hemocompatibility Studies

The results of in vitro studies of single-walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH) oxidized materials' cytotoxicity obtained by the cell membrane integrity (Neutral Red Uptake (NRU)) and metabolic activity (by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)) on A549 and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) cell lines are presented. We also present hemocompatibility studies on human and porcine blood, and an erythrocyte concentrate to prove that the obtained samples will not interfere with blood components. Characterization of the materials is supplemented by zeta-potential measurements, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) imaging, and thermogravimetric studies (TG). The presented results show the correlation between the specific surface area of materials and the platelet aggregation, when the I-D/I-G ratio determined from Raman spectra correlates with hemoglobin release from the erythrocytes (in whole blood testing). A plausible mechanism explaining the observed correlations is given. The cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility studies prove that the studied materials are acceptable for use in biomedical applications, especially a sample SWCNH-ox-1.5 with the best application potential.

Automated summary

The study presents the cytotoxicity of single-walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH) oxidized materials on A549 and HDF cell lines, as well as the hemocompatibility on human and porcine blood samples. Results show correlation between specific surface area of materials and platelet aggregation, and the I-D/I-G ratio from Raman spectra with hemoglobin release from erythrocytes.