Long-term exposure to commercially available sunscreens containing nanoparticles of TiO 2 and ZnO revealed no biological
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RESEARCH
Open Access
Long-term exposure to commercially available sunscreens containing nanoparticles of TiO2 and ZnO revealed no biological impact in a hairless mouse model Megan J. Osmond-McLeod1,2,6*, Yalchin Oytam1,2, Anthony Rowe2, Fariborz Sobhanmanesh2, Gavin Greenoak4, Jason Kirby1,3, Elizabeth F. McInnes5 and Maxine J. McCall1,2
Abstract Background: The application of sunscreen is a critical component of a sun-safe strategy, however the possibility of unexpected, adverse outcomes resulting from long-term use of sunscreens containing nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) has not yet been examined. Here, immune-competent hairless mice were exposed over a 36-week period to weekly topical applications of sunscreens containing nanoparticles of ZnO or TiO2, or no metal oxide nanoparticles, with or without subsequent exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Control groups received no sunscreen applications, with or without UVR. Results: Mice exposed to UVR in the absence of sunscreen developed statistically significant incidences of histologically-diagnosed malignant and benign skin neoplasms, whereas no statistically significant adverse biological outcomes were found in mice treated with the sunscreens containing ZnO or TiO2 nanoparticles. Elevated levels of Ti were detected in the livers of mice treated with sunscreen containing TiO2 nanoparticles compared to untreated control, but total Zn concentrations did not significantly alter in any major organs except for the skin of mice treated with ZnO sunscreen. Exposure to UVR did not have a significant impact on examined tissue concentrations of Zn or Ti. Few to no transcriptional changes were found in ZnO or TiO2-treated groups, but mice treated with the sunscreen containing only organic filters showed substantial gene disregulation. Conclusions: Taken together with previous work, this long-term study provided no basis to avoid the use of sunscreens containing metal oxide nanoparticles. Keywords: Long-term, Sunscreen, Nanoparticles, Organic UV filter, Ultraviolet radiation
Background Whilst some exposure of naked skin to sunlight is beneficial for human health [1], the demonstrated consequences of prolonged exposure of unprotected skin to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) include inflammation, premature photoageing, DNA damage, photocarcinogenesis, and immune * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 CSIRO Advanced Materials TCP (Nanosafety), Manufacturing Flagship, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia 2 CSIRO, Food & Nutrition Flagship, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
suppression [2, 3]. The regular application of sunscreen has been shown to decrease the risk of developing squamous cell carcinomas in humans, as well as correlated with decreased risk of developing melanomas and basal cell carcinomas [4]. Therefore, when long periods outdoors are anticipated, the regular application of sunscreens is encouraged (e.g. [5–7]). The active ingredients in topically-applied sunscreen
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