Comparison of Effects of Fullerene C60 and Methyl Methacrylate on Mass Index of Internal Organs in Animals

Abstract

In the clinic of orthopaedic dentistry, diseases of the mucous membrane caused by wearing removable dentures occupy a special place because the frequency of their occurrence and according to various authors varies from 15 to 70% of patients. Denture stomatitis is a complication resulting from wearing laminar dentures made of acrylates, which contain residual monomers having a chemical-toxic effect.
 The purpose of the study is to determine the mass coefficient of internal organs in order to assess the toxic effect of C60 fullerene on the body of rats and subsequent introduction of the material into the clinic of orthopedic dentistry.
 Objects and methods. The study was carried out on male rats divided into three groups of six animals each: I group included intact control rats; II group included animals received food with C60 fullerene; III group included animals received injectable methyl methacrylate. Conditionally therapeutic dose of fullerene C60 and methyl methacrylate was 1 ml/kg each. The studied samples were administered to rats through a metal probe every day once a day for 21 days.
 The state of peripheral blood, the functional state of the liver and the mass coefficient of the internal organs of the studied animals enable to evaluate and compare the toxic effect of fullerene C60 and methyl methacrylate.
 Results. The study has shown the introduction of C60 fullerene did not cause visible signs of intoxication and lethal consequences in the experimental animals. No animals of the main group (fullerene C60) and the comparison group (methyl methacrylate) died after the 21-day study. There were also no significant violations of the general condition and behaviour of the animals. The physiological state of experimental rats did not differ from control rats.
 In the group of intact control males, a significant increase in the body weight of rats compared to the initial values ​​was noted by 8% in the 2nd week and by 20% in the 3rd week of observation. In groups of animals that were injected with fullerene C60 and methyl methacrylate, the body weight dynamics as a whole was similar to the body weight dynamics of intact control animals. The obtained indicators point out the absence of a harmful effect of the studied drug on the physiological processes of rats.
 Administration of the nanopreparation did not have a harmful effect on internal organs (liver, heart, lungs, spleen, adrenal glands), with the exception of the kidneys and thymus, where certain changes were observed. The relative mass of the kidneys decreased statistically significantly when fullerene C60 was used, and the mass of the thymus, on the contrary, increased. Despite the statistical differences between the groups, the values ​​of the kidney mass coefficient for the use of the nanopreparation are within the physiological range and cannot be considered critical. An increase in the mass of the thymus against the background of fullerene use probably occurs as a result of the activation of the immune system upon the introduction of the investigated agent. However, hematological studies did not reveal pathological deviations in the leukocyte blood formula and significant activation of immunological processes, so it can be assumed that the increase in thymus mass coefficient is not a consequence of the toxic effect of C60 fullerene.
 Conclusion. The use of Fullerene C60 for 21 days, based on the results obtained, does not have a toxic effect on the organs and systems of male rats, does not cause any intoxication reactions and does not lead to fatal consequences.