Graphene-based materials have attracted a great deal of interest recently due to their unique properties that have led to a great potential for use in many fields including biomedicine. In this study graphene oxide (GO) derivatives, the more hydrophilic and more biologically friendly materials) were administered intravenously in C57BL/6 mice. Extensive urinary excretion was one of the main biological end-fates, suggesting an interaction with the kidney glomerular filtration barrier (GFB). Analysis of the kidney function, histopathology and ultrastructure was carried out. Serum and urine analyses revealed no impairment of kidney function up to one month after injection of GO at doses up to 10 mg/kg. Histological examinations suggested no damage to glomerular and tubular regions of the kidneys. Ultrastructural analysis by transition electron microscopy showed the absence of any damage, with no change in podocyte slit, endothelial fenestra sizes or glomerular basement membrane width. This suggests that these rather large GO sheets with sizes that exceed several times the GFB cut-off (&lt;40 nm) were excreted, by structural re-modelling of the thin and flexible GO sheets. Furthermore, an <i>in vitro</i> investigation of how the two highly specialized kidney cells (glomerular endothelial cells and podocytes) interact and uptake this unique 2D material at doses 100 times higher than that expected to be received by the kidney was investigated. The study provides a better understanding of how the unique 2D materials interacts with biological barriers and shows that GO has a potential for various biomedical applications, such as diagnostic imaging and drug-delivery systems.<br/>

Extraordinary urinary excretion of thin graphene oxide sheets following intravenous administration and short circulation in blood

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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