Evaluation of immunotoxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles on coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida.

Abstract

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) have gained considerable attention due to their diverse applications in various fields. However, concerns about their potential toxic effects on the environment and living organisms have also emerged. In this study, we synthesized and characterized Fe₃O₄ NPs and assessed their immunotoxicity on the coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida. The Fe₃O₄ NPs were synthesized using a co-precipitation method, and their physicochemical properties were determined using techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The synthesized Fe₃O₄ NPs exhibited a uniform size distribution with spherical morphology and the phase purity was confirmed from XRD analysis. To evaluate the immunotoxicity of Fe₃O₄ NPs, Eisenia fetida coelomocytes were exposed to various concentrations of Fe₃O₄ NPs for 14 days. Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of Fe₃O₄ NPs on the biochemical parameters, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), acid phosphatase (APs), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total protein content (TPC), as well as conducted a histological examination. Biochemical analysis revealed significant alterations in the activity levels of SOD, CAT, APs, ALP, and TPC in the coelomocytes, indicating immune system dysregulation upon exposure to Fe₃O₄ NPs. Moreover, histological examination demonstrated structural changes, suggesting cellular damage caused by Fe₃O₄ NPs. These findings provide valuable insights into the immunotoxic effects of Fe₃O₄ NPs on Eisenia fetida and underscore the need for further investigation into the potential environmental impact of nanoparticles.