Fig. 2

Effects of TiO2 NPs on human RBCs and plasma coagulation. (a) After isolated human RBCs were treated with various concentrations (0, 5, 10, 25 and 50 μg/mL) of TiO₂ NPs at 37 °C for 24 h, the hemolytic activity was measured at 540 nm. (b-d) Isolated human RBCs were treated with various concentrations (0, 5, 10 and 25 μg/mL) of TiO₂ NPs at 37 °C for 24 h. And then, (b) PS exposure and (c) MV generation were concentration-dependent promoted, which was determined using flow cytometry. (d) Morphological alteration was observed using SEM and echinocytes were concentration-dependently shown in TiO₂ NPs-treated RBCs. (e) Plasma coagulation was evaluated by prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) after human plasma was incubated with 0, 25, 100 and 250 μg/mL TiO₂ NPs. Thrombin (1 U/mL) was used as positive control. Scale bar: 5 μm. Values are mean ± S.E. of 3–5 independent experiments, * represents significant differences from the control group (p < 0.05)