Gold nanoparticles potentiate CaVchannel currents in rat tail artery myocytes

This study was designed to unveil effects of 5-nm sized, polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on vascular CaV1.2 and CaV3.1 channels. Ba2+currents through both channels (IBa1.2and IBa3.1) were recorded in single myocytes isolated from the rat tail main artery by means of the whole-cell patch-clamp method. AuNPs increased IBa1.2and IBa3.1amplitude in a concentration- and Vh-dependent manner. Neither the voltage dependence of inactivation and activation curves nor inactivation and activation kinetics were affected by AuNPs. In conclusion, these findings warrant further investigation to clarify whether different types of NPs possess the same stimulatory activity and may represent a toxic hazard to humans.