Determination of the Effect of SiO2 Nanoparticles on Spontaneous Activity of Rat Uterus Smooth Muscles using Wavelet Scalogram Analysis

Abstract

Today, nanomaterials are used in many industrial areas such as electronics, optics, textiles, as well as in medical devices, biosensors, etc. Among various types of nanoparticles (NPs), silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) are one of the most used NPs, especially in nanostructuring, drug delivery, cosmetic and optical imaging agents. Although NPs have a great importance in nanotechnology, they also have a potential toxic effect, which cause health problems. Uterus is a hollow muscular organ situated deep within the female pelvic cavity. The uterine smooth muscle, which is situated in uterus, is able to produce regular spontaneous contractions without any hormonal or nervous input [17]. Uterine contractions are important in many reproductive functions including the transport of sperms and embryo, menstruation, pregnancy and parturition. In this study, the effect of SiO2 NPs on uterine contractions are investigated. Experimentally recorded spontaneous activity of uterus are analyzed using wavelet transform. Obtained results show that, increasing doses of SiO2 NPs decrease the contraction frequency significantly, while energy of contractions does not change considerably.