Prenatal development toxicity study of zinc oxide nanoparticles in rats

Abstract

This study investigated the potential adverse effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles ([ZnO SM20(+) NPs] zinc oxide nanoparticles, positively charged, 20 nm) on pregnant dams and embryo–fetal development after maternal exposure over the period of gestational days 5–19 with Sprague-Dawley rats. ZnO SM20(+) NPs were administered to pregnant rats by gavage at 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day. All dams were subjected to a cesarean section on gestational day 20, and all of the fetuses were examined for external, visceral, and skeletal alterations. Toxicity in the dams manifested as significantly decreased body weight after administration of 400 mg/kg/day NPs; reduced food consumption after administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg/day NPs; and decreased liver weight and increased adrenal glands weight after administration of 400 mg/kg/day NPs. However, no treatment-related difference in: number of corpora lutea; number of implantation sites; implantation rate (%); resorption; dead fetuses; litter size; fetal deaths and placental weights; and sex ratio were observed between the groups. On the other hand, significant decreases between treatment groups and controls were seen for fetal weights after administration of 400 mg/kg/day NPs. Morphological examinations of the fetuses demonstrated significant differences in incidences of abnormalities in the group administered 400mg/kg/day. Meanwhile, no significant difference was found in the Zn content of fetal tissue between the control and high-dose groups. These results showed that oral doses for the study with 15-days repeated of ZnO SM20(+) NPs were maternotoxic in the 200 mg/kg/day group, and embryotoxic in the 400 mg/kg/day group.

Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Development, Zinc Metabolism and Biodistribution of Minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn) in Mice

“…In addition, dietary added 5000 mg/kg nano-ZnOs increased the relative organ weights, including the pancreas, brain, and lung with dose-dependent effects (linear trend). Inconsistent with previous studies, most of the studies reported that nano-ZnOs damaged the organs such as lung, liver and pancreas [ 18 ] or decrease their relative weight [ 22 ]. The reduced body weight in 5000 mg/kg nano-ZnO group might partially contribute to the increases in the relative organ weights.…”

“…Zinc is an important essential trace element for growth, immune system, metabolism and wound healing in both human and animals. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is generally considered as a cheap inorganic material with low toxicity, which is commonly used as a nutritional or medical additive for the zinc-deficient children or animals [ 9 , 22 ]. Owing to the small size, increased surface area to volume ratio at nanoscale, nano-ZnOs possess multiple properties and have been widely used [ 4 – 6 ].…”

“…It was reported that the liver is a main target organ damaged by nano-ZnOs. Hong et al [ 22 ] revealed that 400 mg/kg/day nano-ZnOs significantly decreased the absolute liver weight of dams. Wang et al [ 19 ] reported that 14-d exposure to high dose of nano-ZnOs (1–5 g/kg body weight) led to hepatic damages aggravated with the dose increase by histopathologic examination.…”

“…Oral treatment with nano-ZnOs for 14 days could disturb energy metabolism and cause mitochondria and cell membrane impairment in rat kidney, which may contribute to nano-ZnO induced nephrotoxicity [ 21 ]. Recently, it was reported that the oral doses for the study with 15-days repeated of nano-ZnOs were maternotoxic in the 200 mg/kg/day group, and embryotoxic in the 400 mg/kg/day group [ 22 , 23 ]. Despite of the significant acute effects of nano-ZnOs on mice and rats, the long term effects of nano-ZnOs on the development has not been reported.…”

Exposition aux gaz d’échappement diesel durant la gestation : quelles conséquences sur le développement foeto-placentaire ? Apport des modèles animaux

“…L'exposition de rates gestantes, par gavage, à des nanoparticules d'oxyde de zinc (ZnO) chargées positivement ou négativement (20 nm de diamètre) entraîne des effets toxiques chez la mère avec une réduction de la consommation alimentaire, ainsi qu'une diminution du poids corporel et du poids du foie et pour les doses les plus fortes, une augmentation du poids des glandes surrénales Seule l'exposition à une dose moyenne des nanoparticules chargées positivement provoque une réduction du poids des foetus et une augmentation de l'incidence de malformations (Hong et al 2014a ;Hong et al 2014b). Dans la même espèce, le gavage par des nanoparticules d'argent induit des signes de stress oxydatif au niveau hépatique chez la mère (réduction de l'expression protéique de la catalase, le gluthation-péroxydase), sans perturbation des marqueurs biochimiques sanguins (Yu et al 2014).…”