Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are widely used in nanomedicine and consuming products with potential risk to human health. While considerable work was carried out on the molecular, biochemical, and physiological alterations induced by these particles, little is known of the ultrastructural pathological alterations that might be induced by nanosilver materials. The aim of the present work is to investigate the hepatocyte ultrastructural alterations that might be induced by SNP exposure. Male rats were subjected to a daily single dose (2 mg/kg) of SNPs (15-35 nm diameter) for 21 days. Liver biopsies from all rats under study were processed for transmission electron microscopy examination. The following hepatic ultrastructural alterations were demonstrated: mitochondria swelling and crystolysis, endoplasmic reticulum disruption, cytoplasmic vacuolization, lipid droplets accumulation, glycogen depletion, karyopyknosis, apoptosis, sinusoidal dilatation, Kupffer cells activation, and myelin figures formation. The current findings may indicate that SNPs can induce hepatocyte organelles alteration, leading to cellular damage that may affect the function of the liver. These findings might indicate that SNPs potentially trigger heptocyte ultrastructural alterations that may affect the function of the liver with potential risk on human health in relation to numerous applications of these particles. More work is needed to elucidate probable ultrastructural alterations in the vital organs that might result from nanosilver toxicity.

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Due to their unique properties, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are invested in many industries, commercial products, and nanomedicine with potential risk for human health and the environment. The present study aims to focus on alterations that might be induced by ZnO NPs in the nephron ultrastructure. Male Wister Albino rats were subjected to ZnO NPs at a daily dose of 2 mg/kg for 21 days. Kidney biopsies were processed to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultrastructural pathology examinations. Exposure to ZnO NPs-induced ultrastructural alterations in the proximal convoluted tubules (PCTs) and to lesser extent in the distal ones (DCTs), while the loops of Henle were almost not affected. The glomeruli demonstrated dilatation, partial mesangial cells loss, matrix ballooning, slits filtration widening, and basement membrane thickening. Moreover, PCT revealed cytoplasmic necrosis, vacuolation, erosion, and disorganisation of the apical microvilli together with mitochondrial swelling and cristae destruction. The nuclei of the renal cells exhibited nuclear deformity, heterochromatin accumulation, and apoptotic activities. The findings indicate that ZnO nanomaterial have the potential to affect the nephron ultrastructure suggesting alteration in the kidney functions. More work is needed for better understanding the toxicity and pathogenesis of ZnO oxide nanomaterial.

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