Journal de la nanomédecine et de la nanotechnologie

Abstrait

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

Imen Ben-Slama, Salem Amara, Imen Mrad, Naima Rihane, Karim Omri, Jaber EL Ghoul, Lassaad EL Mir, Khemais Ben Rhouma, Hafedh Abdelmelek and Mohsen Sakly

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.