Bioaccumulation and Subchronic Toxicity of 14 nm Gold Nanoparticles in Rats

Abstract

Colloidal suspensions of 14 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were repeatedly administered intravenously at three dose levels (0.9, 9 and 90 µg) to male Sprague Dawley rats weekly for 7 weeks, followed by a 14-day washout period. After sacrificing, the amount of gold was quantified in the liver, lungs, spleen, skeleton and carcass using neutron activation analysis (NAA). During the study, preand post (24 h) administration blood samples were collected from both the test and control groups, the latter which received an equal injection volume of normal saline. General health indicators were monitored together with markers of kidney and liver damage for acute and subchronic toxicity assessment. Histopathological assessments were done on the heart, kidneys, liver, lungs and spleen to assess any morphological changes as a result of the exposure to AuNPs. The mass measurements of all the groups showed a steady increase with no signs of overt toxicity. The liver had the highest amount of gold (µg) per gram of tissue after 56 days followed by the spleen, lungs, skeleton and carcass. Markers of kidney and liver damage showed similar trends between the pre and post samples within each group and across groups. The histopathological examination also showed no hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. There was accumulation of Au in tissues after repeated dosing, albeit with no observable overt toxicity, kidney or liver damage.

Study of Protective Effects of Gold Nano Particles on the Liver Toxicity Induced by Carbon-Tetrachloride (CCl4) in Male Rats

“…Elberry, et al (2010) who reported that CCl 4 is an important toxin which prompts liver injury by elevating serum levels of liver enzymes such as ALT, AST, ALP (16) and also reported the severity of liver damage [16]. Our results revealed that AST, ALT and ALP in group CCl 4 +AuNP did not show any significant differences with those of group CCL 4 and are then in in line with the findings by Clinton Rambanapasi, et al (2016) who reported that the indicators of liver damage, AST and ALT showed no significant differences between the control and experimental groups [18]. The results in the present study were promised by Shu Dong, et al (2016) who reported that toxicological mechanisms of CCl 4 -induced liver fibrosis may be related to multi biological manner mechanisms for CCl 4 detoxication in the liver [5].…”

“…Groups 2 and 3 as experimental were injected with CCl 4 liquefied in fluid paraffin (1 mL/kg b.w) for a period of 42 days intraperitonealy (ip), while control group (c) received saline intraperitonealy and also fluid paraffin (1 mL/kg body weight) subcutaneously every other day in trial period [16,17]. On the seventh week of the study, group 3 received additional colloidal suspensions of 20 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNP) intraperitonealy, repeatedly administered in saline solution at dose levels of 90 µg for three days [18]. All animals had free access to water and food during the trial period and were sustained in a room at 23 ± 2°C temperature of fixed 12: 12-hours synthetic light/dark period (6 am to 6 pm), with humidity of 45% -65%.…”

Antimicrobial activity and toxicity of gold nanoparticles: research progress, challenges and prospects

“…In fact, in certain taxa, some evidence indicates that AuNPs are toxic, whereas other studies indicate they are not (Rambanapasi et al . ). Toxicity studies are not always systematic, which explains the contradictory results (Chen et al .…”

Nanogold – Biological effects and occupational exposure levels

“…[29] podawali szczurom dożyl-nie zawiesinę nanocząstek złota o średnicy 14 nm raz na tydzień przez 7 tygodni (w dawce 2,25 μg/kg mc., 22,5 μg/kg mc. lub 0,22 mg/kg mc.).…”