Hepatotoxicity of Bare and Polyethylene Glycol Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and The Protective Role of Virgin Olive Oil in Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are widely used in various biomedical applications. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is most popular coating option, reduce the aggregation problem of uncoated IONPs and lower toxicity. Liver is a target organ to identify adverse effects of IONPs. Virgin olive oil (VOO) has potent antioxidants and hepatoprotective effects. Aim: The present work aimed to study hepatotoxicity of bare and PEG coated IONPs in male albino rats through biochemical and histopathological study and protective effect of VOO. Materials and Methods: Seventy seven adult male albino rats were divided randomly into 11 groups: control; PEG; VOO; bare IONPs (15 mg/kg b.wt. and 30 mg/kg b.wt.) with and without VOO and PEG coated IONPs (15 mg/kg b.wt. and 30 mg/kg b.wt.) with and without VOO. All groups received the treatment by oral gavage daily for four weeks and then blood samples and livers were collected for biochemical and histopathological examination. Results and Conclusion: Bare and PEG coated IONPs significantly increase AST, ALT, ALP and total bilirubin and significantly decrease total protein. Also, all IONPs treated groups showed significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) marker of oxidative stress and significant decrease in SOD and CAT activities (antioxidant markers). All these biochemical changes significantly improved in PEG coated IONPs compared to bare IONPs. Histopathological adverse effects were observed in livers of IONPs treated animals. Significant improvement occurred on coadministration of VOO in these disrupted parameters and improved hepatic tissues damage and function.