engleski

GENOTOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES IN MALE WISTAR RATS AFTER CHRONIC ORAL TREATMENT

The use of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 np) in medical diagnostics and therapy is growing in recent years. Concern about the possible adverse effects on living organisms and the environment has prompted research on its toxicity and genotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible genotoxic effects of chronic exposure of rats to Fe2O3 np. Twenty-five albino male Wistar rats aged 10 weeks were divided into groups of five animals. Three groups were orally treated with Fe2O3 np (<30 nm average particle size) in a concentration of 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg bw, respectively, for 28 days. Negative controls received only water. Positive control group received doses of 300 mg / kg bw of ethyl methanesulhonate intraperitoneally last three days prior to sacrifice. Alkaline comet assay was used to assess primary DNA damage in samples of blood, liver, kidney and brain. To estimate the permanent damage micronucleus test was conducted on acridine-orange (AO) stained peripheral blood erythrocytes and reticulocytes. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. The alkaline comet assay parameters for liver and kidney samples were significantly elevated in animals treated with a concentration of 10 mg/kg Fe2O3 np compared to control. For comet assay samples of blood and brain there were no differences for any dose administered. Results of micronucleus test did not show any differences in leukocytes or reticulocytes suggesting the lack of genotoxic potential of Fe2O3.

iron oxide; nanoparticles; genotoxicity; chronic oral exposure; Wistar rats

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