Low-Dose, Subchronic Exposure to Silver Nanoparticles Causes Mitochondrial Alterations in Sprague–Dawley Rats

Abstract

Nanoparticles (NPs) have increasingly been studied due to their probable harmful effects to both humans and the environment. However, despite several indications of possible harmful effects, no long-term studies using a low dose of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) have been conducted in vivo. Our data demonstrate that the prolonged exposure to a very low dose of AgNP was sufficient to cause alterations in hepatic mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial function compromised by AgNPs is recovered by pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, which highlights the crucial role of oxidative stress in AgNPs' toxicity. Our data show for the first time that even a very low dose of AgNP can cause harmful effects on mitochondrial function, thus compromising the normal function of the organ.