Fig. 5

Adverse effects of rbNPs in mice. Mice are injected with rbNPs according to the same cycle described in the anti-tumor experiment. (A-E) The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and creatinine (Cre). Phosphate buffered saline (PBS, the vehicle) or rbNPs are injected into mice, and the blood is collected at day zero, four, eight, and 12 after the first injection. Subsequently, the serum is obtained and the levels of (A) TNF-α and (B) IL-6 are determined by ELISA. The serum levels of (C) Cre, (D) ALT, and (E) AST are also measured. Results are expressed as the mean ± SD of three samples. ns, not significantly different from one another; N.D., not detected. Cre, creatinine; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase