Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have a wide range of applications in many fields (paint, industry, medicine, additives in food colorants, and nutritional products). Over the past decade research, TiO2 NPs have been focused on the potential toxic effects of these useful materials. In the present study, we investigated the effects of subacute exposure to TiO2 NPs on emotional behavior in adult Wistar rats, the biochemical parameters, and the histology of organs. Animals were injected intraperitoneally (ip) with TiO2 NPs (20 mg/kg body weight) every 2 days for 20 days. The elevated plus-maze test showed that subacute TiO2 NPs treatment increased significantly the anxious index (AI) compared to control group. The toxicological parameters were assessed 24 h and 14 days after the last injection of TiO2 NPs. Subacute exposure to nanoparticles increased the AST/ALT enzyme ratio and LDH activity. However, the blood cell count remained unchanged, except the platelet count increase. Histological examination showed a little inflammation overall. Moreover, our results provide strong evidence that the TiO2 NPs can induce the liver pathological changes of rats. The intraperitoneal injection of TiO2 NPs increased the accumulation of titanium in the liver, lung, and the brain. The results suggest that TiO2 NPs could alter the neurobehavioral performance of adult Wistar rats and promotes alterations in hepatic tissues.

With the industrialization and increasing public exposure, nano-sized materials have received much more concerns. However, the impact of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the human body, especially on the central nervous system is extremely limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ZnO-NPs on the behavioral performances and the brain contents of some monoamines neurotransmitters. Male Wistar rats were treated with a single intravenous injection of a suspension of ZnO-NPs (25 mg/kg body weight). Subsequently, 14 days after nanoparticles injection, the rats were sacrificed. During that period, Morris water maze and open-field tests were performed, respectively, for the spatial working memory and the analysis of locomotor activity of the rats. The data showed that plasma and brain zinc concentrations increased after administration of ZnO-NPs. However, brain content of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine and serotonin remained unchanged in ZnO-NPs-treated rats compared with control group. The results showed also that the working memory, locomotor activity and exploratory behavior were not impaired in ZnO-NPs exposed groups. These data revealed that acute intravenous injection of ZnO-NPs does not affect neurotransmitter contents, locomotor activity and spatial working memory in adult rats. Thus, the effect of nanoparticles on the behavioral performances is still a new topic that requires more attention.

ZnO-NPs suspended in distilled water were administered to Wistar rats at dose of 10 mg/ kg body weight through oral gavage for 5 consecutive days. The mean body weight gain in rats given ZnO-NPs was similar to this of control group, so no significant differences in the relative organs weight were observed between the ZnO-NPs treated-rats and control. Moreover, ZnO-NPs-exposed rats showed normal values for the complete blood count test. However, biochemical assays showed that sub-acute exposure to ZnO-NPs induced a marked increase of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Therefore, uric acid, creatinine and glucose levels are not modulated by ZnO-NPs administration. These biochemical findings were supported by histopathology examination, which showed minor morphological changes in rat tissues. Sub-acute exposure to ZnO-NPs does not affect the exploratory behaviors and the anxious index of rats. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) applications Electronic industry, instrumental industry, manufacture, electrical device, radio, wireless fluorescence lamp, image recorder, rheostat, Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology J o u rna l of N a n o m ed icine & N a n o te chnolo g y

Objectives Score distributions and associations between the RAID score and RA demographic and disease related variables were examined in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods 103 patients diagnosed were enrolled in the study. Disease activity was assessed through the Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28 scale. quality of life was evaluated with The EQ-5D, and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was completed by all patients. Pain and fatigue were evaluated with pain Visual analogic scale (VAS) and fatigue VAS respectively. The Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact disease (RAID) was used for the evaluation of the impact of rheumatoid arthritis. Results The mean RAID was 3,78±2,15. The distribution of the RAID: 32% had a score between 0 and 2, and 13.5% between 7 and 10. In univariate analysis the RAID score correlated with pain (r=0,79; IC95% (0,05-0,06); p<0,001), fatigue (r=0,80; IC95% (2,2-3,7); p<0,001), morning stiffness (r=0.53; IC95% (0,017-0,03); p<0.001), DAS28 (r=0.75; IC95% (0,7-1); p<0.001), HAQ (r=0,75; IC95% (1,7-2,4); p<0,001), EQ-5D (r= -0,72; IC95% (-4,7_-3,2) p<0.001). After multivariate analysis the pain (r=0,15; IC95% (0,01-0,35); p<0,001), fatigue (r=0,18; IC95% (0,17-1,2); p<0,01), DAS28 (r=0,26; IC95% (0,2-0,3); p<0,001), HAQ (r=0,2; IC95% (0,18-0,9); p<0,01) and EQ-5D (r= -0,26; IC95% (-1,9_-0,4); p=0,001) still strongly associated with RAID. Conclusions This study suggested that RAID associated with disease activity, functional capacity, Pain, fatigue and EQ-5D. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.4863