Toxicity and serum metabolomics investigation of Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots in mice

Purpose: Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with special luminescent properties have been widely researched and applied in various fields. Thus, their release toxicity and security cannot be ignored. Methods: In the present study, the toxicity and non-targeted metabolomics of Mn-doped ZnS QDs were investigated after single intravenous injection. Serum metabolites were evaluated based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry together with multivariate statistical analyses [principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and orthogonal PLS-DA]. Results: The modified metabolites (variable importance in the projection (VIP) >1 and p<0.05) revealed that Mn-doped ZnS QDs exposure disturbed glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, ketoplasia, glutaminolysis, and amino acid and lipid metabolism. The behavior, coefficients of organs, and histological changes were the same as in the control group, and the disturbance of hematology and serum biochemistry was not dose- or time-dependent. Conclusion: Our study provides a general observation regarding the toxicity and potential metabolic responses of mice exposed to Mn-doped ZnS QDs.