Histological changes in liver and cardiac rat tissues after exposure to chitosan nanoparticles orally

Background: As safe natural biopolymer, chitosan is resulting from chitin deacetylation. Owing to its antimicrobial and antifungal effects, chitosan and/or its biological derivatives have gained extensive interest. The antibacterial activity of chitosan exhibits only in a low pH medium since its solubility above pH 6 is poor. Several factors affect chitosan antibacterial action such as chitosan type, polymerization degree, and certain other chemicophysical features. Objectives: The current study was intended to inspect the chitosan injury on hepatic and myocardial cells in rats in different concentrations. Materials and Methods: Chitosan was purchased and prepared at various concentrations. Laboratory Wistar albino rats were orally fed with different concentrations of chitosan. Histological examination of rat liver and cardiac tissues was performed accordingly. Results: A noticeable increase in animal weight is seen as the concentration of chitosan increases. Normal histological appearance with slight hemorrhaging and abnormal histological appearance with more abundant hemorrhaging and cellular vacuolation were present in liver tissues. Profound histological damage with more abundant hemorrhaging and lymphocytic infiltration along with sinusoid enlargement in the liver as well as districted nuclei was also present. Cardiac tissues were less affected by changes in chitosan concentration. Liver histological changes are attributed to the metabolic breakdown of chitosan in the liver. A noticeable decrease in vascular thickness is seen in both cardiac and liver vascular networks. Conclusion: The study found that chitosan has robust cytotoxic influences on certain organs. However histological damage is more prominent and is seen in rat liver tissues. Histological damage is confirmed by the abnormality of histological and cellular damage seen.