Histopathology of the Liver, Kidney, and Spleen of Mice Exposed to Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are biocompatible nanomaterials that are currently researched for biomedical applications such as imaging and targeted drug delivery. In this investigation, we studied the effects of a single dose (injected on day 1) as well as a priming dose (two injections with a gap of one week) of 5 nm, 20 nm, and 50 nm diameter GNPs on the structural and biochemical changes in the liver, kidney, and spleen of mice. The results showed that small sized GNPs (5 nm) produced significant pathological changes in the liver on day 2 that gradually reduced on day 8. The medium (20 nm) and large (50 nm) sized GNPs preferentially targeted the spleen and caused significant pathological changes to the spleen architecture on day 2 that persisted on day 8 as well. There were minimal and insignificant pathological changes to the kidneys irrespective of the GNPs size. The animals that were primed with the pre-exposure of GNPs did not show any aggravation of histological changes after the second dose of the same GNPs. None of the dose regimens of the GNPs were able to significantly affect the markers of oxidative stress including glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in all of the organs that were studied. In conclusion, the size of GNPs plays an important role in their pathological effects on different organs of mice. Moreover, the primed animals become refractory to further pathological changes after the second dose of GNPs, suggesting the importance of a priming dose in medical applications of GNPs.

Metal-Based Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents: An Overview

“…Although Ibrahim et al reported some pathological changes in the kidney after exposure to AuNPs during work, such as alterations in glomeruli, dilated tubules, oedema exudate, mild necrosis, and infiltration of inflammatory cells; these pathological changes were considered minimal and insignificant in the kidneys, regardless of the size of the AuNPs [184].…”

The effect of partial replacement of soybean meal with fermented soybean meal on chicken performance and immune status

“…Once fixed tissue fragments were passed through increasing concentrations of alcohol solutions (70%, 95%, absolute) for dehydratation, cleared using xylene as clearing agent and embedded into paraffin blocks in a tissue processor (Leica TP-20, Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany). All tissue processing was done according to Ibrahim et al (2018). Morphometric evaluation of the villi length and crypt depth was carried out using a computerassisted microscopic image analysis system.…”

<p>Internalization and effects on cellular ultrastructure of nickel nanoparticles in rat kidneys</p>

“…1 Nevertheless, NPs with a size ranged of 20-50 nm are considered appropriate application involving drug delivery. 39 NPs with a size less than 20 nm (eg 10 nm) have been shown to accumulate in the liver and spleen of rats, 40 while NPs of larger size (20-100 nm) have been found to accumulate in the kidney. 41 On the other hand, NPs with a size less than 20 nm could be rapidly cleared by the kidneys, 42,43 while larger NiNPs may be difficult to be uptaken by cells.…”