In Vivo Toxicity Assessment of Bovine Serum Albumin and Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Coated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

Background: Recently, applications of nanoparticles in many fields of medicine have been developed, due to their specific physical and chemical properties. Therefore assessment of their toxicity specially in the in vivo condition is necessary. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluation the effect of Fe3O4 nanoparticles coating by biocompatible compounds on their toxicity and also comparison by noncoated nanoparticles. Materials and Methods: Wetted chemical method was used in order to synthesize Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were coated by BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) and DMSA (Dimercaptosuccinic Acid) and the coating interactions were investigated by FTIR. Magnetic and structure properties of Fe3O4 and coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles were evaluated by AGFM (Alternating Gradient Force Magnetometer), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and XRD (X Ray Diffraction). Toxicity assessment of Fe3O4 and coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles were studied in mice by intra peritoneally injections during a month. Liver enzymes (SGPT, SGOT, ALP, and LDH) were measured 7, 15 and 30 days post injection. Result: The synthesized nanoparticles are single phase and have the spinel structure which their size distribution in the net from is around 5 to 11 nm and in the coated form is 17 to 25 nm. Some liver enzymes were changed due to the injection of both uncoated and coated nanoparticles to mice (especially in groups who received concentrations more than 100 mg per kg of mice weight). The liver enzymes changes were more considerable in the groups received DMSA or DMSA coated in comparison with the groups received BSA or BSA coated. Chemical toxicity studies showed that there is not any irreversible effect in concentrations less than 200 mg/kg for all control and treated groups. Conclusions: The results indicate that, liver enzymes were changed during 7 and 15 days post injection measurements especially in high doses (200 mg/kg). The results of 30 days post injection measurements were changed less in comparison with the control and this is indicates that there is not any irreversible effect in liver. Moreover, DMSA coated nanoparticles were more toxic in comparison with BSA coated nanoparticles.