Sub-Acute Oral Toxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Male Rats

ZnO-NPs suspended in distilled water were administered to Wistar rats at dose of 10 mg/ kg body weight through oral gavage for 5 consecutive days. The mean body weight gain in rats given ZnO-NPs was similar to this of control group, so no significant differences in the relative organs weight were observed between the ZnO-NPs treated-rats and control. Moreover, ZnO-NPs-exposed rats showed normal values for the complete blood count test. However, biochemical assays showed that sub-acute exposure to ZnO-NPs induced a marked increase of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Therefore, uric acid, creatinine and glucose levels are not modulated by ZnONPs administration. These biochemical findings were supported by histopathology examination, which showed minor morphological changes in rat tissues. Sub-acute exposure to ZnO-NPs does not affect the exploratory behaviors and the anxious index of rats. mice with depressive-like behaviors, probably through up-regulating neuronal synaptic plasticity and functions. Moreover, ZnO NPs may regulate ionic homeostasis and the physiological functions of neurons and have potential influence in central nervous system which shed light on the possible application and treatment in neurotransmitter system disorders [17]. In this study, the oral administration was selected as the route of exposure for rats to nanoparticles because the ZnO-NPs are used in food packaging and may penetrate the body directly. Even when used in other consumer products like coating and dermatological applications, there is a risk of ingestion during use [10]. Jani et al. [18] have shown that nanoparticles, when administered orally, can be absorbed across the gastrointestinal tract, and pass through the mesentery lymph supply and lymph node to liver and spleen. The present study was undertaken to investigate the sub-acute oral toxicity of ZnO nanoparticles. For this the effects of nanoparticles on the emotional behavior, hematological and biochemical parameters were analysed and organ damage was examined by histopathology. Additionally, the distribution of trace element in different tissues was investigated. The potential use of ZnO and other metal oxide nanoparticles in biomedical and cancer applications is gaining interest in the scientific and medical communities, largely due to the physical and chemical properties of these nanomaterials, and is the focus of this article. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) applications Electronic industry, instrumental industry, manufacture, electrical device, radio, wireless fluorescence lamp, image recorder, rheostat, Citation: Ben-Slama I, Mrad I, Rihane N, Mir LE, Sakly M, et al. (2015) Sub-Acute Oral Toxicity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Male Rats. J Nanomed Nanotechnol 6: 284. doi:10.4172/2157-7439.1000284