Effects of different sizes silica nanoparticle on the liver, kidney and brain in rats: Biochemical and histopathological evaluation

Abstract

Silica is among the most popular nanoparticles. Large-scale production and use have increased the risk of human exposure to silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs). This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects on the kidney, liver and brain of the SiO2NPs. Twenty eight male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n=7 rats) as control (1 mL/day physiological saline administration for 28 day), 6 nm SiO2NP (6 nm, 150 μg/mL/day for 28 day), 20 nm SiO2NP (20 nm, 150 μg/mL/day for 28 day) and 50 nm SiO2NP (50 nm, 150 μg/mL/day for 28 day) groups. After the last administration, rats were sacrificed and kidney, liver and brain samples were taken for biochemical and histological investigation. In all groups, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured using the spectrophotometric methods. Ultrastructural changes of tissues were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy. In the kidney tissue, the MDA level significantly increased in the 6 and 50 nm groups, while the similar increase was observed in the 6 nm group of the liver and 20 and 50 nm groups of the brain. SOD activity significantly increased in the 6, 20 and 50 nm groups in brain and kidney tissues, but no significant change was observed in the liver tissue groups. Catalase activity decreased in the kidneys at 6 and 50 nm groups and increased in the 20 and 50 nm groups in liver and brain tissues. Ultrastructurally, kidney and liver tissues had normal morphological features in all groups. Degenerative changes were observed in the nerve fibers and axoplasm of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers in 6 nM, 20 nM and 50 nM SiO2NP groups in the brain. These findings showed that exposure to 6, 20 and 50 nm sizes SiO2 NPs may cause toxic effects in the liver, kidney and brain.

Synthesis and Characterization of Silica, Silver-Silica, and Zinc Oxide-Silica Nanoparticles for Evaluation of Blood Biochemistry, Oxidative Stress, and Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats

“…A few of these discoveries are consistent with the earlier literature related to the histopathological changes caused by SiO 2 NPs in human liver tissues . Previously, it was recorded that the SiO 2 nanorattles caused histopathological changes in multiple organs of mice including vacuolar degeneration in hepatocytes and the blockage of central vein, indicating that cytoplasmic injury is a type of hydropic degeneration that causes necrosis and degradation of cellular organelles. , …”

“…The production of H 2 O 2 and SOD ion radicals from isolated electron transport chains is a well-known process . The most prevalent ROS is hydrogen peroxide . SiO 2 NPs cause ROS generation and oxidative damage due to unsaturated bonds and a silicon-bounded hydroxyl group on the particle surface.…”

Panax ginseng modulates oxidative stress, DNA damage, apoptosis, and inflammations induced by silicon dioxide nanoparticles in rats

“…Many studies found that SiO 2 NPs are responsible for the toxic adverse effects in different organs as liver, kidney, and brain 6‐8 . Furthermore, different sizes of SiO 2 NPs have an inducible ability to promote oxidative stress and ultrastructural changes in mammalian experimental model 9 . Also, silica NPs exert their cytotoxic effect on both cancer and normal cells mainly through the induction of oxidative damage, apoptosis, and inflammation 10 .…”

“…[6][7][8] Furthermore, different sizes of SiO 2 NPs have an inducible ability to promote oxidative stress and ultrastructural changes in mammalian experimental model. 9 Also, silica NPs exert their cytotoxic effect on both cancer and normal cells mainly through the induction of oxidative damage, apoptosis, and inflammation. 10 Moreover, in vitro administration of SiO 2 NPs caused notable DNA damage accompanied by activation of the MAPK/ERK1/2 and Nrf2/ARE pathways in colon cancer cells.…”

Behavioural alterations induced by chronic exposure to 10 nm silicon dioxide nanoparticles

“…Hippocampus is a brain component responsible for enabling spatial memory consolidation of information and navigation. When the hippocampus suffers damage, short‐term memory loss, inability to form and retain new memories and disorientation symptoms will be early demonstrated [ 46 ]. The finding of the present behavioural test may suggest that the hippocampus damage was induced by SiO 2 NPs affecting both memory and learning.…”