Electrophysiological effects of polyethylene glycol modified gold nanoparticles on mouse hippocampal neurons

Tuna B. G., Yesilay G., Yavuz Y., Yilmaz B., Culha M., Maharramov A., ...More

Heliyon, vol.6, no.12, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 6 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05824
  • Journal Name: Heliyon
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Keywords: Action potential, Electrophysiology, Functional neurotoxicity, Gold nanoparticles, Polyethylene glycol
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles, Polyethylene glycol, Action potential, Functional neurotoxicity, Electrophysiology. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can cross the blood brain barrier, thus can be used as nanocarriers in brain drug delivery. However, the effect of bare and polyethylene glycol-modified (PEGylated) AuNPs on normal neural function has not been extensively investigated. In this study, bioelectrical properties of neuronal functions of male BALB/c mice were explored ex vivo and in vivo by using 5 nm bare AuNPs and PEGylated AuNPs. Electrophysiological properties of neurons from hippocampal CA1 region sections were recorded by patch clamp method. Ex vivo, firing rate of action and membrane potentials in response to negative current stimuli significantly altered only after bare AuNP exposure compared to control (p < 0.05). After in vivo injections, anxiety levels of animals were similar. Amplitude of action potentials reduced only in bare AuNP group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, excitability of hippocampal neurons is increasing with bare AuNP exposure, and PEGylation might be more biocompatible for medical applications.