Impact of pulmonary exposure to cerium oxide nanoparticles on experimental acute kidney injury

Abstract

Background/Aims: Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) are released from diesel engines that use cerium compounds as a catalytic agent to decrease the diesel exhaust particles, leading to human exposure by inhalation to CeO2 NPs. We have recently demonstrated that pulmonary exposure to CeO2 NPs induces lung inflammation, thrombosis, and oxidative stress in various organs including kidneys. It is well known that particulate air pollution effects are greater in patients with renal diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of pulmonary exposure to CeO2 NPs in a rat model of acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: AKI was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (CP, 6 mg/kg). Six days later, the rats were intratracheally (i.t.) instilled with either CeO2 NPs (1 mg/kg) or saline (control), and various renal and pulmonary endpoints were assessed 24 h afterward using histological, colorimetric assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Comet assay techniques. Results: CP alone decreased body weight, and increased water intake, urine volume and relative kidney weight. CP also increased the plasma concentrations urea and creatinine, and decreased creatinine clearance. In the kidneys, CP significantly increased renal injury molecule-1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and glutathione concentrations, and caused renal tubular necrosis, and DNA injury assessed by Comet assay. All these actions were significantly aggravated in rats given both CP and CeO2 NPs. Histopathological changes in lungs of CeO2 NPs-treated rats included marked interstitial cell infiltration and congestion. These were aggravated by the combination of CP + CeO2 NPs. Moreover, this combination exacerbated the increase in the concentrations of TNFα and IL-6, and the decrease in the activity of pulmonary catalase and total nitric oxide concentration, and lung DNA damage. Conclusion: We conclude that the presence of CeO2 NPs in the lung exacerbated the renal and lung effects of CP-induced AKI.