Investigation of the Toxicologic and Biochemical Effects of Silk Fibroin/Gold Nanoparticles-Based Nanofiber Using Zebrafish Embryos

Objective: This This study aimed to test the toxicity of silk fibroin (SF) / gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-based nanofiber by using zebrafish embryos as an alternative animal model. Materials and Methods: Nanofiber was fabricated via electrospinning. The zebrafish embryos were divided into four groups as control, 3,4-dichloroaniline (DCA) treated, one day SF/AuNPs treated (1D), and seven days SF/AuNPs treated (7D) group. The SF/AuNPs nanofiber was incubated in the medium for one day and seven days. Following incubation, the embryos were placed in the mediums and their development was monitored 72 hours post-fertilization. In the zebrafish embryos, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were detected. Results: Compared to the control group, there was no change in the hatching and mortality rates in the 1D and 7D groups. In the DCA group, the mortality rate was higher than the controls. In the 1D and 7D groups, MDA and NO were higher than the control but lower than the DCA group. SOD and GST activities decreased compared to the control. Conclusion: SF/AuNPs-based nanofiber did not affect the hatchability and mortality of embryos but increased oxidant damage, therefore it is thought that this oxidant effect of SF/AuNPs-based nanofibers may provide antibacterial properties.