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Nanomaterials refer to materials with particle sizes of 1-100nm in at least one dimension. They have special physicochemical properties such as surface, small-size, macroscopic quantum tunneling and quantum size effects (1-3). Epidemiological investigations have demonstrated a correlation between the mortality and morbidity of the population and the number of nanoparticles (NPs) in the atmospheric environment (4). It has been reported that occupational exposure to nanoscale mineral dust particles, asbestos fibres, quartz and other such particles may result in inflammatory responses, pulmonary fibrosis, oxidative damage and other toxic effects (1). At the same mass concentration, there will be a greater number of NPs than that of micron particlesand their activity will also be higher because NPs can enter into the organism. Therefore, there is a greater probability of NPs reacting with the cellsand the impact of NPs on the body is significantly different from that of ordinary particle pollutants (5). Owing to a very large surface area, the toxicity of NPs might be much greater upon the induction of cytotoxicity, depending on the materials used (1,6). Johnson et al. reported that exposure to ZnO NPs has the potential to impact host immunity (7). Another study conducted by Yao et al. demonstrated that CuInS2 and CdTe NPs could inhibit macrophage cytokine production and phagocytosis in vitro (8).
AlNPs are widely used in aerospace, electronics, chemical engineering, medicine, catalysts and their carriers, rubber, ceramics and other fields, thus serving as an indispensable material in several industries. In recent years, mesoporous hollow AlNPs (HMHA) functionalized with hyaluronic acid have been used as targeted drug delivery carriers for treating liver cancer (9). When alumina attains the nanosize, it may exhibit different characteristics from those of non-AlNPs, and its potential impact on the body is an interesting aspect of research (10). AlNPs are newer nanomaterials that have been significantly exposed to the human body during production and in life. Research shows that nanoalumina can cause apoptosis and autophagy of cells. The ultramicroscopic aspect and the corresponding physical and chemical properties of alumina are responsible for its biological effects (11). Interestingly, aluminum is found in considerable quantities in both animals and humans (12,13). Experimental observations have demonstrated the deposition of aluminum in the brain, bone, kidney, liver, heart, muscle and breast...