Translocation and extra pulmonary toxicities of multi wall carbon nanotubes in rats

Abstract

This study evaluated the ability of the multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to induce extra pulmonary toxicities in rats following intra-tracheal (IT) instillation of two MWCNT. Two carbon nanoparticles were instilled into the lungs of rats (0.2, 1, and 5 mg/kg b.w.) and at different post-exposure intervals, blood and organs like liver, kidney, etc. were collected. The histopathological examination of liver tissues revealed a dose-dependent periportal lymphocytic infiltration, ballooning, foamy degeneration, and necrosis at all post-instillation periods. However, examination of kidney revealed the tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis with 5 mg/kg dose at 1 month of post-instillation of both MWCNT. These liver and kidney toxicities were further confirmed by the elevated levels of respective tissue damage biomarkers. These results suggest the extra pulmonary toxicities of these carbon nanoparticles might be due to the translocation into the liver and kidney.

Keywords::

• Carbon nanotubes
• MWCNT
• translocation
• extra pulmonary
• toxicity

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the kind help of Mr. Venakateswer Rao, JNTU, Hyderabad.

Declaration of interest

All the authors are grateful to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, India for providing funding for conducting this research project. The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.