Brain changes following subchronic exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles: animal experimental data analysis

Abstract

The goal of this study was to assess the health effects of (copper oxide nanparticles) CuO NPs on the brain structure and function in rats. Morphology results showed that the number of axons with the damaged myelin sheath in basal ganglia and the proportion of pathologically altered mitochondria in olfactory bulbs and basal ganglia had increased, while the concentration of myelin basic protein in blood serum remained unchanged. We also have observed the lower body weight gain, signs of hemolytic anemia, an increased platelet count, reduced locomotion and exploratory activity. We propose that the central nervous system and haematopoiesis are the targets for toxicity of CuO NPs administered intranasally during six weeks at the total dose of 0.45 mg/kg body weight.