Biochemical alterations induced by acute oral doses of iron oxide nanoparticles in Wistar rats

Abstract

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with appropriate surface chemistry have been widely used with potential new applications in biomedical industry. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the size-, dose-, and time-dependent effects, after acute oral exposure to iron oxide-30 NP (Fe₂O₃-30), on various biochemical enzyme activities of clinical significances in a female Wistar rat model. Rats were exposed to three different doses (500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg) of Fe₂O₃-30 and Fe₂O₃-Bulk along with control. Fe₂O₃-30 had no effect on growth, behavior, and nutritional performance of animals. Fe₂O₃-30 caused significant inhibition of acetylcholinestrase in red blood cells as well as in brains of treated rats. Further, more than 50% inhibition of total, Na⁺-K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺-ATPases activities, as observed in brains of exposed female rats, may be the result of disturbances in cellular physiology and the iono-regulatory process. Activation of the hepatotoxicity marker enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, was recorded in serum and liver, whereas inhibition was observed in kidney. Similarly, enhancement of lactate dehydrogenase activity was observed in serum and liver; however, a decrease in enzyme levels was observed in kidneys of Fe₂O₃-30-treated rats. On the other hand, Fe₂O₃-Bulk did not depict any significant changes in these biochemical parameters, and alterations were near to control. Therefore, this study suggests that exposure to nanosize particles at acute doses may cause adverse changes in animal biochemical profiles. The use of the rat model signifies the correlation with the human system.

Keywords::

• Iron oxide nanoparticles
• biochemical enzymes
• Wistar rats

Acknowledgment

The authors express their sincere thanks to Dr. J.S. Yadav (Director, IICT, Hyderabad) for his keen interest and encouragement during this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors are also thankful to the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, India, for financial support for carrying out this study (grant no.: BT/PR9998/NNT/28/84/2007). Further, M.K. is grateful to the University Grant Commission, India, for the award of a fellowship.