Interference of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles with Coagulation Cascade and Interaction with Blood Components

Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used for different purposes, showing a potential risk on human health. The analysis of the interaction of these metal oxide NPs with blood components is a crucial step in the characterization of their biocompatibility, but information available of comparative studies with several doses and different metal oxide NPs is really scarce. In this study, six different metal oxide NPs (TiO2, CeO2, Al2O3, Y2O3, and two different types of ZnO NPs) at different concentrations are used, and their potential adverse effects on blood are determined. Both, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), are assessed to understand particle influence on the plasma coagulation cascade. Additional hematocompatibility tests include assessment of thrombin coagulation time, platelet aggregation, leukocyte procoagulant activity (PCA), hemolysis, and complement activation. The results demonstrate that only the ZnO and TiO2 NPs affect the coagulation cascade by increasing the aPTT in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, ZnO NPs increase PT, while TiO2 NPs induce a decrease in the PT. In addition to affecting coagulation time, ZnO NPs also induce platelet aggregation and leukocyte PCA. All tested metal oxide NPs do not affect hemolysis and complement activation.