Evaluation of oxidative response and tissular damage in rat lungs exposed to silica-coated gold nanoparticles under static magnetic fields.

The purpose of our study was the evaluation of toxicological effects of silica-coated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and static magnetic fields (SMFs; 128 mT) exposure in rat lungs. Animals received a single injection of GNPs (1,100 µg/kg, 100 nm, intraperitoneally) and were exposed to SMFs, over 14 days (1 h/day). Results showed that GNPs treatment induced a hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue. Fluorescence microscopy images showed that red fluorescence signal was detected in rat lungs after 2 weeks from the single injection of GNPs. Oxidative response study showed that GNPs exposure increased malondialdehyde level and decreased CuZn-superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in rat lungs. Furthermore, the histopathological study showed that combined effects of GNPs and SMFs led to more tissular damages in rat lungs in comparison with GNPs-treated rats. Interestingly, intensity of red fluorescence signal was enhanced after exposure to SMFs indicating a higher accumulation of GNPs in rat lungs under magnetic environment. Moreover, rats coexposed to GNPs and SMFs showed an increased malondialdehyde level, a fall of CuZn-superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities in comparison with GNPs-treated group. Hence, SMFs exposure increased the accumulation of GNPs in rat lungs and led to more toxic effects of these nanocomplexes.

Interaction between nanoparticles generated by zinc chloride treatment and oxidative responses in rat liver.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the interaction of zinc chloride (3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [ip]) in rat liver in terms of the biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Zinc treatment increased zinc content in rat liver. Analysis of fluorescence revealed the presence of red fluorescence in the liver following zinc treatment. Interestingly, the co-exposure to zinc (3 mg/kg, ip) and selenium (0.20 mg/L, per os [by mouth]) led to a higher intensity of red fluorescence compared to zinc-treated rats. In addition, X-ray diffraction measurements carried out on liver fractions of zinc-treated rats point to the biosynthesis of zinc sulfide and/or selenide nanocomplexes at nearly 51.60 nm in size. Moreover, co-exposure led to nanocomplexes of about 72.60 nm in size. The interaction of zinc with other mineral elements (S, Se) generates several nanocomplexes, such as ZnS and/or ZnSe. The nanocomplex ZnX could interact directly with enzyme activity or indirectly by the disruption of mineral elements' bioavailability in cells. Subacute zinc or selenium treatment decreased malondialdehyde levels, indicating a drop in lipid peroxidation. In addition, antioxidant enzyme assays showed that treatment with zinc or co-treatment with zinc and selenium increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase. Consequently, zinc complexation with sulfur and/or selenium at nanoscale level could enhance antioxidative responses, which is correlated to the ratio of number of ZnX nanoparticles (X=sulfur or X=selenium) to malondialdehyde level in rat liver.

Nanotoxicological evaluation of oxidative responses in rat nephrocytes induced by cadmium.

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of cadmium chloride with mineral elements in rat nephrocytes in terms of the biosynthesis of nanocomplexes. The results show that selenium supplementation enhanced cadmium accumulation in kidneys. Analysis of the fluorescence revealed an increase in red fluorescence in the kidneys of rats co-exposed to cadmium and selenium. Interestingly, X-ray diffraction measurements carried out on kidney fractions of co-exposed rats point to the biosynthesis of cadmium selenide and/or sulfide nanoparticles (about 62 nm in size). Oxidative stress assays showed the ability of selenium to reduce lipid peroxidation and to restore glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity in kidneys. Hence, cadmium complexation with selenium and sulfur at a nanoscale level could reduce oxidative stress induced by cadmium in kidneys.

Subacute toxicity of cadmium on hepatocytes and nephrocytes in the rat could be considered as a green biosynthesis of nanoparticles.

The purpose was to study the toxicity of cadmium (Cd) and to explore its potential to generate nanoparticles during detoxification. In order to demonstrate this, in vivo fluorescence imaging, X-ray diffraction, and flow cytometry were performed. The in vivo imaging showed a fluorescence signal after Cd treatment (CdCl2, 1.50 mg/Kg, intraperitoneally). By contrast, the control-rat fluorescence was negative. The fluorescence was divided into three colors, red, yellow, and green, and probably indicates the presence of quantum dots. X-ray diffraction results revealed the presence of Cd sulfide (CdS) and/or Cd selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles following Cd injection in the liver (6.52 nm) and kidneys (56.30 nm). Interestingly, flow cytometry revealed a heterogeneous size distribution and a homogeneous granularity of synthesized nanoparticles. Using the green fluorescence channel and the red fluorescence channel, a narrow green emission spectrum and a broad red emission spectrum were detected, respectively, by cytometric analysis.