Products with nanosilver can be dangerous
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark, working under the guidance of Associate Professor Frank Kjeldsen, have demonstrated that silver nanoparticles can penetrate into living cells and cause damage to the body through the formation of a large number of free radicals.
Silver has an antibacterial effect, so the food and cosmetics industry often uses silver nanoparticles to cover various surfaces. They are used in the production of beverage bottles, plasters, toothbrushes, socks for sports, refrigerators, washing machines and food packaging.
According to the authors, silver itself does not pose a threat to human health, but its nanoparticles can penetrate into cells.
Using proteomics methods based on the use of mass spectrometry, they analyzed the reaction of intestinal cells to the penetration of silver nanoparticles of different sizes. Researchers believe that in life it is the intestinal cells that are at the highest risk of contact with nanoparticles that get into food.
The data obtained indicate that silver nanoparticles trigger unique processes in cells, the nature of which depends on the particle size. Thus, nanoparticles with a size of 100 nm have indirect effects mediated by enzymes of the kinase class. Nanoparticles with a size of 20 nm directly induce the processes underlying cellular stress, including the production of reactive oxygen species and carbonylation of protein molecules.
Sema from an article in ACS NANO
Many serious diseases, including cancer, neurological pathologies and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, are characterized by hyperproduction of free radicals in cells.
The authors note that their study was conducted in laboratory conditions on cell culture. They also emphasize that they do not know how large a dose of silver nanoparticles should be in order to cause pathological changes in cells in a living organism. However, they warn of the potential danger of using food additives based on silver nanoparticles, which, according to manufacturers, have antibacterial, antiviral and tumor growth inhibiting properties. In the territory of the European Union, trade in such drugs is prohibited, but they can be easily purchased via the Internet.
Article by Thiago Verano-Brag et al. Insights into the Cellular Response Triggered by Silver Nanoparticles using Quantitative Proteomics is published in the journal ACS NANO.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru according to Medical News Today:
Experts express concern over nanosilver found in everyday items that may be harmful to health.
05.03.2014