Titanium dioxide induced cell damage: A proposed role of the carboxyl radical

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles have been shown to be genotoxic to cells exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation. Using the technique of electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping, we have confirmed that the primary damaging species produced on irradiation of TiO₂ nanoparticles is the hydroxyl (OH) radical. We have applied this technique to TiO₂-treated fish and mammalian cells under in vitro conditions and observed the additional formation of carboxyl radical anions (CO₂^?) and superoxide radical anions (O₂^?). This novel finding suggests a hitherto unreported pathway for damage, involving primary generation of OH radicals in the cytoplasm, which react to give CO₂^? radicals. The latter may then react with cellular oxygen to form O₂^? and genotoxic hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).