Pulmonary toxicity of copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles in rats

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate the ability of the Copper Oxide nanoparticles to induce pulmonary toxicity in rats following Intra-Tracheal (IT) instillation. The lungs of rats were intra-tracheally instilled with Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) or CuO nanoparticles or quartz silica particles at a dose of 1 and 5 mg kg-1 body weight. Following exposure, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lungs etc. were collected at 1 day and one week of post instillation of nanoparticles. Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) fluid analyzed for Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total proteins to assess the pulmonary toxicity. CuO and quartz exposed rats produced a transient dose dependant increase in BAL fluid ALP, LDH, Total Protiens and Total leucocytes count than control after 1 day and 1 week post exposure periods. Lung tissue homogenate is made with Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS) and antioxidants like Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase were estimated using tissue homogenate. It was observed a dose dependant decrease in SOD, catalase values in exposed rats than control at all post exposure periods. The histopathological examination of lungs revealed a dose-dependent degeneration, fibrosis and granuloma formation in nanoparticles exposed rats 1 day and were worsen at 1 week post-instillation periods. These results suggest the instillation of CuO nanoparticles produced a greater pulmonary toxicity in rats. The lung tissue homogenate revealed the reduction of antioxidant capacity of rats following exposure of nanoparticles. In conclusion, the present study results revealed the pulmonary toxicity of CuO nanoparticles in rats following their exposure.