Fullerenes are unique nanoparticles consisting of 20 or more carbon atoms. In a new study, scientists at Southern Federal University conducted experiments with these particles. The reason for the study was the interest in the article by Baati, Moussa and co-authors (Baati et al., 2012) that fullerene C60 can increase the lifespan of mice by almost two times. However, for some reason, in the following years, no one was able to reproduce this experience of French scientists.

For example, Vladimir Chistyakov, a senior researcher at the D.I. Ivanovsky Academy of Biology and Biotechnology of the Southern Federal University, suggested that the problem may be in the metabolites of bacteria living in the digestive tract of mice: perhaps some increase the bioavailability of fullerene, while others decrease it. And his colleague, junior researcher Sergey Yemelyantsev, experimentally confirmed this hypothesis.

Initially, scientists were attracted by an article by Baati, Moussa and co-authors in 2012 that fullerene C60 increased life expectancy by 2 times. However, the use of different solvents, including toxic solvents, is one of the reasons for obtaining opposite properties by different groups of researchers. The antioxidant properties of fullerene C60 turned out to be unexpected, since it does not have functional groups responsible for antioxidant properties, for example (–OH), as in polyphenols, or (–SH), as in the natural intracellular antioxidant glutathione, but is capable of attaching radicals. In addition, it became clear that the biological properties (especially bioavailability) of C60 depend on the solvent.

The results of experiments with fullerenes combined with surfactin, a bacterial metabolite, revealed unexpected possibilities. Surfactin produced by Bacillus subtilis bacteria has proven to be an effective means of increasing the bioavailability of fullerenes, which penetrate cell membranes and improve their effectiveness.

Surfactin and other similar substances produced by beneficial bacteria in our intestines can play an important role in improving the penetration of drugs and nanoparticles into body tissues. For example, a 2012 study (Baati et al.) found that fullerene dissolved in olive oil doubles the lifespan of mice. This phenomenon remained a mystery until scientists began to study the role of intestinal microflora and the production of biosurfactants, which probably increased the permeability of the intestinal walls to fullerenes.

Further research will focus on other metabolites that may have similar effects. Scientists are already testing various bacterial substances for their antioxidant properties and ability to protect DNA. In addition, it is suggested that fullerenes can be used to develop more effective drug delivery methods, and in complex therapies such as the treatment of alcoholic neuropathy.

Despite the promising results, scientists are cautious in their conclusions. The problem of safety, especially the possible accumulation of fullerenes in the liver during intravenous administration, remains unresolved. However, this does not stop researchers who are determined to further experiment and develop in the field of nanotechnology. In the future, fullerenes and their interaction with the gut microbiota may change approaches to the treatment of many diseases, opening up new horizons for medicine.