The protective effects of betanin on titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticle exposure in rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective properties of betanin in rats exposed to Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles. An experimental animal study was conducted on 40 Spraque Dawley rats. The rats were studied in 4 groups (n = 10). Group I: Control group, Group II: TiO₂ group (250 mg/kg/bw), Group III: TiO₂ + Betanin group (250 mg/kg/bw TiO₂ + Betanin; 100 µg/ml), Group IV: Betanin group (100 µg/ml). After 28 days of application, blood and liver tissue samples of the rats were collected. Total Antioxidant Status (TAS, mmol Trolox Eq/L), Total Oxidant Status (TOS, µmol H₂O₂ Eq/L), Paraoxonase (PON, U/L), Total thiol (μmol/L), Nitric oxide (NO, µmol/L), Malondialdehyde (MDA, nM/ml) and Catalase (CAT, U/mg protein) activity levels in the blood and liver tissue measured. Liver tissue samples were evaluated by immunohistochemical methods (Caspase-3 and 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine) and hematoxylin-eosin staining. As a result, a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the mean oxidant parameters and a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in the antioxidant parameters were determined in the TiO₂ group when compared to the control group. Caspaze-3 and 8-OHdG histopathological results findings indicated a similar situation. However, it was determined that TiO₂ damage was significantly reduced (p < 0.001) in rats to which TiO₂ and betanin were administered together. In addition, the highest antioxidant levels and low histopathological damage were determined among all groups in the betanin-only group. Betanin (C₂₄H₂₆N₂O₁₃) shows protective activity in oxidative tissue damage caused by TiO₂ nanoparticles.

Keywords:

• Betanin
• titanium dioxide (TiO₂)
• antioxidant effect
• nanoparticle
• chronic toxicity

Author contributions

The authors in this study contributed equally to the work. Project manager; SO, Experimental animal study; SA, Pathological evaluations; MFB, Biochemical analysis; SUA, Article writing and RB. All authors accept the results of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the grants received from the Aydin Adnan Menderes University, ADU-BAP (SBF-20004).