Mechanistic approach to investigate the induction of toxicity by magnesium oxide nanoparticles on testicular, nervous and muscular tissues of albino rats
Gulnaz Afzal1*, Muhammad Irfan Ullah2, Nadeem Ali3, Moeen Afzal1, Riaz Hussain4, Nabil A Alhakamy5, Nisreen Rajeh6, Sarmad Rehan7, Rehana Iqbal8, Muhammad Shahid Iqbal1, Ahrar Khan9*
1Department of Zoology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
2Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
3Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
4Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan
5Pharmaceutics Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
6Department of Clinical Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
7Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
8Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Zoology Division, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
9Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Abstract
Nanoparticles are used extensively in various industries, such as agriculture, food packaging, medical diagnostics and electronics. However, their increasing usage raises concerns regarding potential health hazards and environmental risks. This study examined the impact of intra-peritoneal injections of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles on the brain, testis, and muscles of male albino rats. Mature male rats (n=20) after acclimatization were randomly divided into four groups (G0, G1, G2, G3). The rats in the treated groups (G1-G3) were given MgO NPs @ 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg respectively for ten consecutive days. G0 rats served as untreated control group. Results indicated that MgO NPs induced clinical alterations in exposed rats. The exposed organs including brain, and testis gained more weight and their stress parameters [reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)] increased significantly in a dose dependent manner. Antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) reduced significantly in studied organs as compared to control ones. The treated rats have shown atrophy of neurons, microgliosis, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and congestion. Changes in the testis include inflammation, sloughing of cells, damaged spermatogonia, necrosis of spermatids, spermatogonia and arrest of spermatogenesis process. Conclusively, it is suggested that persistent application of nanomaterials at environmentally relevant concentrations may induce adverse toxicological effects in targeted and non-targeted exposed animals.
