Effects of silver nanoparticles prenatal exposure on rat offspring development (original) (raw)
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The Journal of toxicological sciences, 2015
Steadily increased use of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), has increased the amount of its exposure to humans and animals. Current scarce knowledge about the influences of prenatal exposure to Ag-NPs on postnatal outcomes, motivated us to investigate whether being exposed to it during pregnancy has any effects on neurobehavioral development of the adult offspring. Thirty virgin female NMRI mice were mated and treated subcutaneously once every three days from gestation day 3 until delivery, by 0, 0.2 and 2 mg/kg of bodyweight (BW) of Ag-NPs. Behavioral functions of adult offspring including spatial memory, passive avoidance learning, stress, anxiety-like behaviors and locomotor activities were assessed by commonly used neurobehavioral paradigms and the results were compared according to treatment and sex. Prenatal exposure to Ag-NPs significantly impaired their cognitive behavior in the Morris water maze. Although no evidence was observed indicating more anxiety-like behaviors in the t...
Introduction: - Significant increase in usage of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in consumer products, has increased its exposures to human and animals. Although there are some reports regarding the effects of AgNPs on complex organisms, no report was found as to its effects on neurobehavioral ontogeny. Methods: To investigate the effects of maternal exposure to AgNPs on development of neurobehavioral reflexes as well as physical indexes of growthand development during preweaning period, virgin female NMRI mice were treated with zero, 5 and 50 μg/mouse AgNPs. AgNPs were injected subcutaneously (S.C) to female mice, immediately following male exposure and at once every three days until parturition. Reproductive performance of dams were assessed and home cage activity and developmental landmarks of all pups were observed daily. Gross necropsy was performed on the 28th day. Results: No significant differences were observed in dams' and pups' weight. Survival rate was decreased (p<0.05) in NP5 group and a clear hyperactivity was observed in NP50 group. Prenatal exposure to AgNPs delayed the development of the some pups' neurobehavioral reflexes which were supposed to take place during the first four days following birth. The weight of spleen was decreased in AgNPs treated mice and the weight of liver was increased in male offspring who was exposed to AgNPs before birth. Conclusion: This study revealed that prenatal exposure to AgNPs delayed neurobehavioral development during the early stages of the pre-weaning period. Furthermore, more attention should be paid to alteration of lymphoid organ and liver weights of offspring.
Effects of developmental exposure to silver in ionic and nanoparticle form: A study in rats
DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016
Background: Evaluations of silver in both nanoparticle (Ag-NPs) and ionic forms indicate some adverse effects on living organisms, but little is known about their potential for developmental toxicity. In this study, developmental toxicity of Ag-NPs (from 0.2 to 20 mg/kg/day) and ionic Ag (AgNO 3 , 20 mg Ag/kg/day) were investigated in rats. Methods: Animals were dosed by gavage from gestation day 7 − 20. The day after parturition, dams and pups were sacrificed and Ag level assessed in several maternal and pup organs. In addition, hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress parameters and histopathology were evaluated. Results: No treatment related effects were found for gestational parameters including pregnancy length, maternal weight gain, implantations, birth weight and litter size at any dose level of Ag-NPs. Maternal weight gain was lower in dams receiving AgNO 3 compared to the other groups, suggesting that the ionic form may exert a higher degree of toxicity compared to the NP form. Tissue contents of Ag were higher in all treated groups compared to control dams and pups, indicating transfer of Ag across the placenta. The findings furthermore suggest that Ag may induce oxidative stress in dams and their offspring, although significant induction was only observed after dosing with AgNO 3. Histopathological examination of brain tissue revealed a high incidence of hippocampal sclerosis in dams treated with nanoparticle as well as ionic Ag. Conclusion: The difference in offspring deposition patterns between ionic and NP Ag and the observations in dam brain tissue, requires scrutiny, and, if corroborated, indicate that ionic and NP forms maybe need separate risk assessments and that the hazard ratings of silver in both ionic and nanoparticle forms should be increased, respectively. Trial registration: Not applicable.
Birth Defects Research, 2019
Background: Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are being increasingly used in medical and industrial products. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the toxic effect of maternal exposure to SNP (1 mg/kg/day, 70 nm) on fetal development during the first and second weeks of pregnancy. Methods: Twenty-four pregnant mice were divided into four groups. SNP was administered by oral gavage on gestational days (GD) 1-7, GD8-14, or GD1-14. Phosphate buffered saline was administered by oral gavage to a control group. On GD15, the uteri were excised, and fetal bodies and placentas were weighed. Head and placental circumferences and fetal crown-rump length were measured, and fetuses were evaluated for external malformation. TUNEL assay was performed to assess apoptosis in the fetal midbrain. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was carried out to determine changes in fetal histomorphology. Fetal liver cells were used for karyotype analysis. Results: Significant decreases in fetal body weight, and crown-rump length were observed in SNP-treated groups. Exencephaly, small head, scoliosis, lordosis, short thorax and trunk, also fused digits were detected in SNPs-treated groups. Fibrosis, necrosis, and apoptotic cells in fetal midbrains increased significantly in the GD8-14 and GD1-14 groups compared to the control group. Chromosomal features were not different in fetuses between groups. Conclusions: Exposure to 1 mg/kg/day SNP during pregnancy in mice adversely affected on fetal development. The results do suggest a potential risk for humans that needs to be followed up with more definitive investigations.
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 2020
This research for the first time presents the possibility of crossing the biologically produced SNPs through the placenta to different organs of rat offspring. SNPs were produced using Fusarium oxysporum. After adding 1 mmol final concentration of silver nitrate solution to the culture supernatant and 5 min heating, SNPs were produced, and their production was proved using visible spectrum, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. SNPs were washed, and their concentration determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) instrument. SNPs were used for 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and after determination of their half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50) dose, their toxic and nontoxic doses were determined and used for in vivo studies. A total of 24 female rats, after detection of their vaginal plugs, were divided into 3 groups each having 8 members. A control group was treated with normal saline. The other two groups were treated by toxic and nontoxic doses of SNPs, respectively. After delivery and breastfeeding, the pups were scarified, and their organs were collected and analyzed using histological examinations. Results showed that SNPs had a maximum absorbance peak around 450 nm, with polygonal and round shapes. XRD results confirmed the presence of SNPs. The concentration of the SNPs after washing was 19 ppm/mL based on the ICP results. MTT assay results showed that SNPs had a dose-dependent toxic effect. Histopathological examination results showed that SNPs could pass through the placenta; both their nontoxic and toxic doses induced somehow mild alternations in the liver, kidney, testis, and ovary and had no effects on the brains of the rat offspring. In conclusions, the use of the biologically produced SNPs should be limited during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Particle Size Dependent Teratogenicity of Silver Nanoparticles in Mice
MOJ Anatomy & Physiology, 2016
Nanoparticles because of their unique properties have widespread application in biomedicine and many industrial sectors. The present study was undertaken to determine the potential effects of AgNPs of different size on pregnant dams and fetal development after maternal exposure on gestational days (GD) 6-19 in mice. AgNPs, of 20nm and 1300 nm respectively were administered to pregnant mice by oral gavages at concentrations of 0.5 mg/kg/day and 1 mg/kg/day. All dams were subjected to Cesarean section on GD 20. The fetuses were evaluated for signs of embryotoxic and teratogenic effects. AgNPs caused a decrease in Catalase and Reduced Glutathione activities at ≥ 0. 5 mg/kg/day and a reduction in glutathione content at 1 mg/kg/day in maternal liver tissues. However, no treatment-related deaths or clinical signs were observed in any of the animals treated with AgNPs. Fetal liver tissue showed significant decrease in Catalase and Reduced Glutathione activities. Histomorphological alterati...
Beilstein journal of nanotechnology, 2015
The use of engineered nanoparticles has risen exponentially over the last decade. Applications are manifold and include utilisation in industrial goods as well as medical and consumer products. Gold and silver nanoparticles play an important role in the current increase of nanoparticle usage. However, our understanding concerning possible side effects of this increased exposure to particles, which are frequently in the same size regime as medium sized biomolecules and accessorily possess highly active surfaces, is still incomplete. That particularly applies to reproductive aspects, were defects can be passed onto following generations. This review gives a brief overview of the most recent findings concerning reprotoxicological effects. The here presented data elucidate how composition, size and surface modification of nanoparticles influence viablility and functionality of reproduction relevant cells derived from various animal models. While in vitro cultured embryos displayed no to...
Nanomedicine (London, England), 2017
To investigate the comparative effects of prenatal exposure to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functionalized with citrate and polyphenols on spatial cognition and also on nitro-oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hippocampus and cerebellum of offsprings. Pregnant Wistar rats were orally administered substances from day 10 of gestation until day 21. Six weeks postpartum, six male offsprings from each group were used for behavioral evaluation and determination of oxidative stress and apoptosis. Both groups exhibited hyperactivity and anxiety especially after AgNPs-Sambucus nigra L. administration. AgNPs-S. nigra L. group showed increase in induced nitric oxide synthase activity and decrease in superoxide dismutase activity and apoptosis in the hippocampus, while AgNPs-citrate coated administration exerted a moderate toxicity and induced apoptosis. AgNPs functionalized with natural extracts had a lower toxicity than citrate-coated silver particles.