New Insights into\nthe Toxic Effects of Different Sizes\nof Nanosilica Particles in Food on the Mouse Bladder: Involving Epithelial–Mesenchymal\nTransition

Animals are widely exposed to nanosilica as a food additive.\nHowever,\nthe negative effects of such nanosilica particles on animals’\nbladders are unclear. In the present study, we investigated the impact\nof MPs-SiO<sub>2</sub> on mouse bladder and the underlying mechanisms.\nMouse and MBEC cell models exposed to MPs-SiO<sub>2</sub> with different\nparticle sizes were established. At the same time, aminoguanidine\nhydrochloride (RNS inhibitor) and NF-κB activator were used\nto further explore its mechanism in vitro. We found that MPs-SiO<sub>2</sub> of three sizes could induce RNS-induced pyroptosis causing\nEMT both in vitro and in vivo. After inhibiting RNS, the expression\nof related proteins in downstream pathways was decreased, and fibrosis\nwas alleviated. The above situation was reversed by the addition of\nNF-κB activator. Furthermore, our data suggest that 300 nm MPs-SiO<sub>2</sub> particles have a greater impact on the bladder than 50 nm\nparticles. This study revealed the potential health risks of MPs-SiO<sub>2</sub> and provided new insights into the toxicology of MPs-SiO<sub>2</sub>.