Toxicity and bio-distribution of carbon dots after single inhalation exposure in vivo

Because of the advantages of excellent light stability, carbon dots (CDs) are considered to be a promising agent in the bio-marker application. Nevertheless, there are many unresolved issues with the toxicity of CDs in vitro and in vivo. In the study, CDs were synthesized by citric acid and ethylenediamine into deionized water, then the inhalation toxicity and bio-distribution of CDs in vivo were systematically assessed. The results showed that CDs caused animals death at higher dosages and induced injury in the lung and liver including inflammation and necrosis after single inhalation exposure at 5, 2 and 1 mg/kg dosages of the CDs. We also found that the injury increase with a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Fluorescent examination and TEM results showed that CDs mainly located at the lung and liver. And the fluorescent intensity increase with a time-dependent manner. This study provides a theoretical basis of the respiratory toxicity of CDs, and provides a basis for the use of CDs as a bio-marker.