Molecular Mechanisms of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle-Induced Genotoxicity

BACKGROUND: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are among the most frequently applied nanomaterials in consumer products. Evidence exists regarding the cytotoxic effects of ZnO NPs in mammalian cells; however, knowledge about the potential genotoxicity of ZnO NPs is rare, and results presented in the current literature are inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this review is to summarize the existing data regarding the DNA damage that ZnO NPs induce, and focus on the possible molecular mechanisms underlying genotoxic events. METHODS: Electronic literature databases were systematically searched for studies that report on the genotoxicity of ZnO NPs. RESULTS: ions. Most genotoxicological investigations of ZnO NPs address acute exposure situations. CONCLUSION: Existing evidence indicates that ZnO NPs possibly have the potential to damage DNA. However, there is a lack of long-term exposure experiments that clarify the intracellular bioaccumulation of ZnO NPs and the possible mechanisms of DNA repair and cell survival.