titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are among commonly used nanoparticles in industrial products, such as cosmetics, sunscreens, food products, paints and drugs. They have been reported to induce different adverse cellular effects including oxidative stress and cellular damage.
Aim of the work
To evaluate the possible toxic effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the structure of the spleen of rats
Material and Methods
Forty-five adult male rats were divided into three groups. Group I served as Control group. Group II (low dose group) rats were given a daily oral dose of TiO2 (600 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Group III (high dose group) rats were given a daily oral dose of TiO2 (1200 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. In each group, spleen specimens were taken after 4week, 8week, and 12week from the start of the experiment. The spleen specimens were processed and examined using histological and Immunohistochemical techniques.
Results
The low dose group showed slight disturbance in architecture of white pulp, slight congestion in red pulp and significant increase (P< 0.01) in CD4 & CD68 immuno-expression only after 8 week specimens compared with control group. The high-dose group showed marked disturbance in architecture of white pulp and significant increase (P< 0.01) in CD4 & CD68 immuno-expression after 4 week specimens, CD4 & CD68 immuno-expression significantly decreased (P< 0.01) in the 8 and in the 12 week specimens compared with the control group. No obvious improvement occurred after 12 weeks (withdrawal specimens).