Determination of sub-acute toxicity of advanced nanomaterials and nano-microplastics in vivo in C. elegans v1

The sub-acute toxicity of advanced nanomaterials (Ad-NMs) and nano-microplastics (NMPs) in vivo was evaluated in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), which is widely employed to test the effects of nanomaterials of various shapes and sizes. This nematode is a reliable model for human pathophysiology because it exhibits toxic modes of action similar to those of mammals. C. elegans was selected not only for its well-conserved signal pathways and its high level of gene homology with humans, but also because it can be used to obtain helpful information regarding the toxicity of Ad-NMs and NMPs for environmental health (particularly for terrestrial and aquatic animals). This nematode is ubiquitous worldwide and can live in both soil and water in different areas of the globe. It is important to note that data on worms provide information from a whole-animal perspective, with intact, metabolically active digestive, reproductive, endocrine, sensory, and neuromuscular systems (Hunt, 2017).