Developmental toxicity in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos after exposure to manufactured nanomaterials: buckminsterfullerene aggregates (nC60) and fullerol

The present paper summarizes, to our knowledge, the first study regarding the developmental toxicity of stable buckminsterfullerene aggregates suspended in water (nC60) using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a vertebrate model. Zebrafish embryo survival, hatching rate, heartbeat, and pericardial edema were noted and described within 96 h of exposure. Fullerol (a hydroxylated C60 derivative, C60(OH)16-18) at 50 mg/L did not exert toxicity to zebrafish embryos. In contrast, nC60 at 1.5 mg/L delayed zebrafish embryo and larval development, decreased survival and hatching rates, and caused pericardial edema. Toxicity was mitigated by adding an antioxidant (glutathione), which suggests that a free radical-induced mechanism or another form of oxidative stress played a role in developmental toxicity.