Biochemical alterations induced by acute oral doses of iron oxide nanoparticles in Wistar rats

Abstract

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with appropriate surface chemistry have been widely used with potential new applications in biomedical industry. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the size-, dose-, and time-dependent effects, after acute oral exposure to iron oxide-30 NP (Fe(2)O(3)-30), on various biochemical enzyme activities of clinical significances in a female Wistar rat model. Rats were exposed to three different doses (500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg) of Fe(2)O(3)-30 and Fe(2)O(3)-Bulk along with control. Fe(2)O(3)-30 had no effect on growth, behavior, and nutritional performance of animals. Fe(2)O(3)-30 caused significant inhibition of acetylcholinestrase in red blood cells as well as in brains of treated rats. Further, more than 50% inhibition of total, Na(+)-K(+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+)-ATPases activities, as observed in brains of exposed female rats, may be the result of disturbances in cellular physiology and the iono-regulatory process. Activation of the hepatotoxicity marker enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, was recorded in serum and liver, whereas inhibition was observed in kidney. Similarly, enhancement of lactate dehydrogenase activity was observed in serum and liver; however, a decrease in enzyme levels was observed in kidneys of Fe(2)O(3)-30-treated rats. On the other hand, Fe(2)O(3)-Bulk did not depict any significant changes in these biochemical parameters, and alterations were near to control. Therefore, this study suggests that exposure to nanosize particles at acute doses may cause adverse changes in animal biochemical profiles. The use of the rat model signifies the correlation with the human system.

Assessment of genotoxicity and biodistribution of nano‐ and micron‐sized yttrium oxide in rats after acute oral treatment

“…However, significant increases were observed at 24 and 72 hours after treatment with 1000 mg kg −1 bw of Y 2 O 3 NPs. Similar increased enzyme levels of AST and ALT in liver, serum and decreased enzyme levels of AST and ALT in kidney were found in Fe 2 O 3 NP‐treated rats after acute oral exposure (Kumari et al, ). Similar significantly increased levels of serum AST and ALT was found in TiO 2 NP‐treated mice (Chen, Dong, Zhao, & Tang, ).…”

Acute and subacute oral toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles in female albino Wistar rats

“…Generally, these compounds become concentrated in the liver, and if any damage occurs, they gain entry into the systemic circulation. As the liver serves as a predominant site for NPs to accumulate, they may cause injury (Kumari et al, ). In the present examination, an increment in the action of ASAT and ALAT in liver and kidney homogenates at the high dose in the acute study and at medium and high doses in subacute studies, the likelihood of liver and kidney tissue injury could be established.…”

Scientific Opinion on the re‐evaluation of iron oxides and hydroxides (E 172) as food additives

“…In another rat study with red iron oxide, the LD 50 was above 5 g/kg bw (Ramm, 1986). Kumari et al (2013) compared the size-, dose-and time-dependent effects, after acute oral exposure to microparticles and nanoparticles of red iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ), on various biochemical enzyme activities in a female Wistar rat model. In this study complying with OECD TG 421 (OECD, 1995), rats were exposed to three different single doses (500, 1 000 and 2 000 mg/kg bw) of nano red iron oxide (30 nm, NP 98 %) or bulk red iron oxide (<5 μm, 99 %) and compared to a control group.…”