Hippocampal apoptosis of the neonates born from TiO₂ nanoparticles-exposed rats is mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase

Abstract

The mediatory role of nitric oxide (NO) in neuronal dysfunction and brain damage has been considered. This project was aimed to investigate the effect of an inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, aminoguanidine, on the hippocampal apoptosis of the neonates born from titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles-exposed rats. TiO₂ exposure increased the number of TUNEL-positive neurons in the CA1, CA2, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) areas of the hippocampus (p < .05- p < .001). Aminoguanidine reversed the effects of TiO2 (p < .05- p < .001). It is concluded that iNOS has a role in the hippocampal apoptosis of the neonates born from Nano TiO₂-exposed rats.

Keywords:

• Hippocampus
• apoptosis
• titanium dioxide
• inducible nitric oxide synthase
• aminoguanidine

Acknowledgements

The results described in this paper were obtained from a M.Sc. student`s thesis. The authors would like to thank the Vice Presidency of Research of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for their financial support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.