Multi-biomarker approach to assess oxidative stress and antioxidants profile in male albino rats exposed to ZnO nanoparticle

Abstract

ZnO Nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have wide applications in many fields of life ranging from health, food, agriculture, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, public health, textile and cosmetics. However, exposure to these NPs poses risks to public health, non-target living organisms and the environment. Hence, this study assessed toxicological impacts of ZnO NPs on hematopoietic tissues (bone marrow) and different visceral organs like lungs, intestine and muscles of male Wistar albino rats. Twenty male (20) Wistar albino rats were placed in four groups such as T0 (control group), T1 (50 mg/kg/day ZnO NPs), T2 (75 mg/kg/day ZnO NPs), and T3 (100 mg/kg ZnO NPs). Treated rats exhibited different signs of toxicity like depression and anxiety at higher doses of ZnO NPs. The bone marrow and other visceral organs/tissues were removed and analyzed to know the status of oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarkers. Results revealed notable increase (P≤0.05) in contents of oxidative stress biomarkers (ROS and TBARS) and significant decrease (P≤0.05) in antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, CAT, and GSH) in bone marrow as well as lungs, intestine, and muscles (gums) tissues. Histopathological examination indicated degeneration of muscle fibers, atrophied cells and presence of inflammatory materials in muscles (gums) of treated rats. Histologically, lungs were edematous, hemorrhagic and showed severe interstitial pneumonia while necrosis of epithelium of villi along with degeneration of villi in intestine of rats were observed at higher doses of nanoparticles. In conclusion, it can be suggested that ZnO-NPs may induce oxidative stress in multiple visceral organs of albino rats at higher concentrations highlighting disruption of physiological mechanisms.