The Effects of ZnO Nanoparticles and ZnO/Chitosan NCs on Liver Histology and Serum Parameters in Rats

There are conflicting and confusing reports about prooxidant/ activities of Zinc oxide nanoparticles and Zinc oxide NCs. This study aimed to resolve these discrepancies by examining the effects of these compounds on liver histopathology in healthy rats. Materials and Methods: 42 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups. Rats in the treatment group received intraperitoneal injections of ZnO nanoparticles 10, 20 and 40 mmol/ml) and ZnO nanocomposites (NCs) (10, 20 and 40 mmol/ml) for 28 days. Control rats received distilled water. At the end of the study, the following parameters were assessed: serum liver enzymes (ALT and AST), the activity of serum catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum BUN and serum creatinine and liver histology. Intraperitoneal injection of ZnO nanoparticles at a concentration of 10 mmol/ml/day had no significant effect on serum liver enzymes but at 20 and 40 mmol/ml/day significantly decreased serum catalase and SOD activity compared with the control group (P<0.05). ZnO NCs at the concentrations of 20 and 40mmol/ml/day decreased serum catalase activity and SOD activities and significantly elevates serum liver enzymes. Furthermore, both ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO NCs had no significant effect on serum BUN and creatinine levels. Both nanoparticles induced severe histological changes at the two higher doses (20 and 40 mmol/ml). The results suggest that proper concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO NCs have no toxic effects on the liver while the higher doses can induce severe histological changes.

کلیدواژه ها:

ZnO nanoparticles ، ZnO NCs ، serum biochemical parameters ، Rat