Effects of nano-sized titanium dioxide powder and ultraviolet light on superficial veins in a rabbit model

Abstract

Background. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is widely used in many fields such as food, cosmetics, and paper industries. Studies on the photocatalytic properties of TiO2 on living tissue are limited. Objectives. To examine the histopathological effects of TiO2 solution on the marginal veins of rabbit ears under ultraviolet (UV) light. Materials and methods. In this study, 4 groups of rabbits (8 rabbits per group) were used: the 1st group was the control group, the 2nd group received 20% of nano-TiO2 only, the 3rd group received UV light only, and the 4th group received nano-TiO2 and UV light, simultaneously. The study lasted for 14 days and samples were taken from the marginal ear vein on the 15th day. Results. The ear tissues of rabbits in the control and TiO2 groups showed a normal histological appearance. In the UV group, the results showed severe chronic inflammation due to mononuclear cells around the hair follicles and perivascular areas. However, these findings decreased in the UV/nano-TiO2 group. Conclusions. The method applied in this study can be used in the treatment of telangiectasia in the future. However, this study investigating the effects of nano-TiO2 on vascular structures under UV light had a predominantly histological and observational nature. Further studies involving genetic, cytogenetic, biochemical, histochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses need to be performed to test the theories we proposed.