Fig. 2

The toxic effects of SiNPs on cell viability and membrane integrity in cultured HUVECs. a, CCK8 assay showing the effects of SiNPs on cell viability (n = 3 independent experiments). Both SiNP-20 and SiNP-100 decreased the viability of HUVECs in a concentration (0–200 μg/mL)-dependent manner, and SiNP-100 was more toxic than SiNP-20. *** p < 0.001 vs. control. ^##p < 0.01 vs. SiNP-20 at the same concentration. b, LDH assay showing the toxic effects of SiNPs on the membrane integrity as indicated by LDH release from HUVECs. Both SiNP-20 and SiNP-100 increased LDH release in a concentration (0–200 μg/mL)-dependent manner, and SiNP-100 was more toxic than SiNP-20 on the membrane. ** p < 0.01 vs. control, *** p < 0.001 vs. control. ^##p < 0.01 vs. SiNP-20 at the same concentration