Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles: A New Therapeutic Tool in Liver Diseases

Abstract

Oxidative stress induced by the overproduction of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been considered as a key pathogenic mechanism contributing to the initiation and progression of injury in liver diseases. Consequently, during the last few years antioxidant substances, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), resveratrol, colchicine, eugenol, and vitamins E and C have received increasing interest as potential therapeutic agents in chronic liver diseases. These substances have demonstrated their efficacy in equilibrating hepatic ROS metabolism and thereby improving liver functionality. However, many of these agents have not successfully passed the scrutiny of clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, mainly due to their unspecificity and consequent uncontrolled side effects, since a minimal level of ROS is needed for normal functioning. Recently, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) have emerged as a new powerful antioxidant agent with therapeutic properties in experimental liver disease. CeO2NPs have been reported to act as a ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) scavenger and to have multi-enzyme mimetic activity, including SOD activity (deprotionation of superoxide anion into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide), catalase activity (conversion of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water), and peroxidase activity (reducing hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals). Consequently, the beneficial effects of CeO2NPs treatment have been reported in many different medical fields other than hepatology, including neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology, and oncology. Unlike other antioxidants, CeO2NPs are only active at pathogenic levels of ROS, being inert and innocuous in healthy cells. In the current article, we review the potential of CeO2NPs in several experimental models of liver disease and their safety as a therapeutic agent in humans as well.

Effect on Mouse Liver Morphology of CeO2, TiO2 and Carbon Black Nanoparticles Translocated from Lungs or Deposited Intravenously

“…CeO 2 is used as a diesel fuel additive [17], an abrasive agent for chemical-mechanical planarization of advanced integrated circuits [18], and a polishing agent for glass mirrors, television tubes and ophthalmic lenses [19]. There are also studies of potential therapeutic uses of CeO 2 nanoparticles [20,21]. Carbon black is a black pigment with broad applications [15].…”

Effect of Cerium Oxide on Kidney and Lung Tissue in Rats with Testicular Torsion/Detorsion

“…This dual oxidation state of the nanoparticle means that these nanoparticles have oxygen vacancies. This dual oxidative state enables the emergence of antioxidant properties [ 18 , 50 , 51 ]. Its antioxidant properties have been proven by many different models of I/R injuries.…”

Nanostructured Ceria: Biomolecular Templates and (Bio)applications

“…Ceria NPs’ ability to accumulate in the mononuclear phagocyte system (e.g., liver, spleen, and kidneys) can be used in an advantageous way for selective targeting of this nanosized therapy in areas of localized inflammation that require antioxidant treatment [ 127 ]. In particular, ceria NPs have been proposed to treat liver diseases thanks to their ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) scavenging activity, as recently reviewed [ 128 ]. Another disease model where they have been studied is the non-alcohol-dependent, fatty liver, which is associated with impairment and inflammation of liver tissue, and which was alleviated in a rat model by ceria [ 129 ].…”