Fullerenes: In vivo studies of biodistribution, toxicity, and biological action

The analysis of toxic effects of fullerenes and their derivatives towards mammals is presented in this review. The relationship between the biological activity of fullerenes and their physicochemical properties is characterized, as is the relationship between the outcomes of biosafety assessment of fullerenes and the exposure routes. To better enable evaluation of the toxic effect of nanomaterials in vivo standardized procedures both for experiments and for evaluation are recommended. Data on adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of fullerenes for different routes of exposure is summarized. It is shown that fullerene absorption and translocation to tissues and organs distant from the deposition site depend on the exposure route and the dose administered. A detailed analysis is carried out of fullerene in vivo toxic effects following exposure via the respiratory system (inhalation and intratracheal administration), gastrointestinal tract (peroral and intraperitoneal administration), after dermal and parenteral (intraperitoneal, intravenous) administration. Fullerene inhalation causes local minor and short-term effects, and lung inflammation and pathological lesions are induced by high doses of nanoparticles. The literature data indicate also absence of skin and eye irritation, penetration into the derma and negligible sensitization for fullerene. No significant toxicity effects following the peroral exposure are observed and this is due to the low absorption of fullerene from the gastrointestinal tract and its effective excretion. The necessity to continue studying fullerene’s metabolic pathways and toxicity in acute and chronic experiments is reasoned. © 2014, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.