A comprehensive toxicity study of zinc oxide nanoparticles versus their bulk in Wistar rats

Abstract

<jats:p> The purpose of this study was to characterize the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and their bulk counterpart in suspensions and to access the impact of their acute oral toxicity at doses of 300 and 2000 mg/kg in healthy female Wistar rats. The hematological, biochemical, and urine parameters were accessed at 24 and 48 h and 14 days posttreatment. The histopathological evaluations of tissues were also performed. The distribution of zinc content in liver, kidney, spleen, plasma, and excretory materials (feces and urine) at 24 and 48 h and 14 days posttreatment were accessed after a single exposure at dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. The elevated level of alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine were observed in ZnO-NPs at a dose of 2000 mg/kg at all time points. There was a decrease in iron levels in all the treated groups at 24 h posttreatment as compared to control groups but returned to their normal level at 14 days posttreatment. The hematological parameters red blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, and haptoglobin were reduced at 48 h posttreatment at a dose of 2000 mg/kg ZnO-NPs and showed hemolytic condition. All the treated groups were comparable to control group at the end of 14 days posttreatment. The zinc concentration in the kidney, liver, plasma, feces, and urine showed a significant increase in both groups as compared to control. This study explained that ZnO-NPs produced more toxicological effect as compared to their bulk particles as evidenced through alteration in some hemato-biochemical parameters and with few histopathological lesions in liver and kidney tissues. </jats:p>

Interactions of Zinc Oxide Nanostructures with Mammalian Cells: Cytotoxicity and Photocatalytic Toxicity

“…In a recent study, Srivastav et al orally administered ZnO NPs (13-68 nm) suspensions at doses of 300 and 2000 mg/kg bw to Wistar rats for several time points up to 14 days. The liver was found to accumulate more zinc than kidney at time points of 24 h and 48 h. The elevated levels of ALT, ALP, and LDH at a dose of 2000 mg/kg bw for 24 h, 48 h, and 14 days were observed [185]. So, the damage of the liver by ZnO NPs led to a high ALT level.…”

“…Elevated ALT and ALP levels in serum, and accumulation of ZnO NPs in liver at a high dose of 300 mg/kg, causing ROS production and DNA damage in liver. No toxicity at a low dose of 50 mg/kg [184] Oral gavage 300 and 2000 mg/kg for 24 h, 48 h and 14 d High ALT, ALP and LDH levels at a dose of 2000 mg/kg at all time points; hemolytic activity for this dose at 48 h [185] Oral administration 100 mg/kg for consecutive 75 d…”

Hesperidin alleviates zinc oxide nanoparticle induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress

“…Even though zinc is an essential trace element and is commonly present in foods or added as a nutritional supplement, it has not got much attention during assessment of toxicity of nanoparticles. However, nano size particles can cause toxicity [ 2 ], because they are highly reactive and cause oxidative stress in human and animals as they can enter the circulation and reach to different organs of the body [ 3 – 5 ].…”

Exposure to Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Induces Neurotoxicity and Proinflammatory Response: Amelioration by Hesperidin

“…They have widescale applications but may induce toxicity due to their increased surface reactivity which leads to their toxicity and may produce reactive oxygen species [13][14][15]. Recent studies showed toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticles and related alteration in some hemato-biochemical parameters [16][17][18].…”