Effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the myocardium of the adult albino rats and the protective role of β-carotene (histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study)

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO 2 NPs) are the most produced nanomaterials. TiO 2 NPs are used as a drug carrier and molecular imaging vehicle in the cardiovascular system. We aimed to study TiO 2 NPs effects on the ventricular myocardium and evaluate the ameliorative effects of β-carotene (βC). Forty adult albino rats were divided into four groups: negative control group (Ι) received a distilled water. Treated group (II): received 20 mg/kg/day TiO 2 NPs intraperitoneally. Protected group (III): received 10 mg/kg/day βC orally together with TiO 2 NPs in a dose of 20 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally. Positive control group (IV) was given βC orally in a dose of 10 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Sections were stained with hematoxylin & eosin, bromphenol blue (BPB), and periodic acid Schiff (PAS). Anti-desmin & anti-CD45 immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopic examination were performed. Group (II) revealed fragmented myofibrils and inflammatory infiltrations. In group (III), normal cardiomyocytes with less inflammatory infiltrations. The optical density of PAS and BPB staining and anti-desmin showed a very highly significant decrease in the group (II) versus the control groups (P < 0.001). A highly significant increase in the optical density of group (III) versus group (II) (P < 0.01). Also, the area percentage mean values of collagen fibers and anti-CD45 in the group (II) showed a very highly significant increase versus the control groups (P < 0.001). Group (III) revealed a very highly significant decrease in the area percentage versus group (II) (P < 0.001). In conclusion: TiO 2 NPs adversely affected the histological structure of the adult rat ventricular myocardium in acute exposure (14 days) and the damage was less with βC.

Adverse Outcome Pathways Associated with the Ingestion of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles—A Systematic Review

“…Several works provide evidence of cardiac damage after TiO 2 -NPs ingestion [40,184,185] and a recent work in adult albino rats, showed alterations of histological structure of the adult rat ventricular myocardium in acute exposure [213]. Oral administration of TiO 2 -NPs to rat pups impacted also basic cardiac performance [194].…”