Combined effects of low levels of palmitate on toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles to THP-1 macrophages

•The combined toxicity of low levels of PA and ZnO NPs to macrophages was studied.•The presence of PA affected size and Zeta potential of ZnO NPs.•ZnO NPs impaired lysosomal function but did not affect ROS, mitochondria or IL-6.•50 μM PA further enhanced the toxicity of ZnO NPs to lysosomes.

We have recently proposed that the interaction between food components and nanoparticles (NPs) should be considered when evaluating the toxicity of NPs. In the present study, we used THP-1 differentiated macrophages as a model for immune cells and investigated the combined toxicity of low levels of palmitate (PA; 10 or 50 μM) and ZnO NPs. The results showed that PA especially at 50 μM changed the size, Zeta potential and UV-vis spectra of ZnO NPs, indicating a possible coating effect. Up to 32 μg/mL ZnO NPs did not significantly affect mitochondrial activity, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) or release of interleukin 6 (IL-6), but significantly impaired lysosomal function as assessed by neutral red uptake assay and acridine orange staining. The presence of 50 μM PA, but not 10 μM PA, further promoted the toxic effects of ZnO NPs to lysosomes but did not significantly affect other endpoints. In addition, ZnO NPs dose-dependently increased intracellular Zn ions in THP-1 macrophages, which was not significantly affected by PA. Taken together, the results of the present study showed a combined toxicity of low levels of PA and ZnO NPs especially to lysosomes in THP-1 macrophages.