Exploring the impact of silica and silica-based nanoparticles on serological parameters, histopathology, organ toxicity, and genotoxicity in Rattus norvegicus.

Abstract

Continuous exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) poses potential hazards to human health and animal life, necessitating thorough monitoring and investigation of environmental contaminants to mitigate their adverse effects. Therefore, this study investigates the histopathological alterations, serum biochemistry, oxidative stress biomarkers, and genotoxicity endpoints induced by crystalline silica (C-SiO₂) NPs, sliver-silica (Ag-SiO₂) and zinc-oxide silica (ZnO-SiO₂) NPs in Rattus Norvegicus. Twenty-five rats were blindly distributed into groups (A, B, C, & D), with B, C, and D administered 500 µg/kg of ZnO-SiO₂, Ag-SiO₂, and C-SiO₂ NPs intravenously (IV), while A served as the control. Severe histopathological alterations, including widening of urinary spaces, edema, necrosis of neurons, atrophy of neurons, myofibrillolysis, inflammatory exudate, disorganization of splenic cells, and pyknotic nuclei, were observed in C-SiO₂ NPs-exposed rats across study organs. Compared to controls, C-SiO₂ NPs significantly altered 95 % of serological, DNA damage, histopathological, and oxidative stress parameters. Ag-SiO₂ and ZnO-SiO₂ NPs affected 75 % and 60 % of these parameters, respectively. Among the NPs, C-SiO₂ exhibited the most adverse effects. The study concludes that SiO₂ coating on metal (Ag) and metal oxide (ZnO) rendered these substances biocompatible, suggesting potential applications for reducing adverse effects in living organisms. These findings also contribute to the genotoxic profiling of NPs and their potential health hazards upon exposure to humans.