Oral intake of silica nanoparticles exacerbates intestinal inflammation.

Nanoparticles, i.e., particles with a diameter of ≤100 nm regardless of their composing material, are added to various foods as moisturizers, coloring agents, and preservatives. Silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ , silica) nanoparticles in particular are widely used as food additives. However, the influence of SiO ₂ nanoparticle oral consumption on intestinal homeostasis remains unclear. The daily intake of 10-nm-sized SiO ₂ nanoparticles exacerbates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, whereas the daily intake of 30-nm-sized SiO ₂ nanoparticles has no influence on intestinal inflammation. The exacerbation of colitis induced by consuming 10-nm-sized SiO ₂ nanoparticles was abolished in mice deficient in apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC). Our study indicates that the oral intake of small SiO ₂ nanoparticles poses a risk for worsening intestinal inflammation through activation of the ASC inflammasome.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interests.
(Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)