Detection of Gold Nanoparticles in Rat Organs by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Resumo

The effects of water-dispersed gold nanoparticles (8.0±0.9 nm in diameter) on the rat small intestinal mucosa and Peyer plaques, liver, and spleen were studied by electron microscopy. Water-dispersed gold nanoparticles injected into isolated intestinal loop not only accumulated in the small intestinal mucosa and Peyer plaques, but also penetrated into other organs, e.g. liver and spleen. Ultrastructural changes in the cells (hyperplasia of endoplasmic reticulum) were detected in the studied organs.