Manganese/cerium nanoferrites: Synthesis and toxicological effects by intraperitoneal administration in rats

Abstract

The field of nanoparticles (NPs) is rapidly expanding. Therefore, the potential toxic effect of these materials needs to be investigated. In the current effort, the Mn/Ce magnetite nanoferrites was synthesized via sol-gel method and then characterized to study their structural, morphological, and magnetic properties by XRD, SEM and VSM techniques. Furthermore, we investigated the toxic effects of intraperitoneal administration of Ce-Mn ferrite NPs in male Wistar rats. Two groups of animals received NPs (500 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for 14 and 28 days. For the animals received NPs (1000 mg/kg, i.p.), one group treated for 14 days and another group had similar treatment but subsequently untreated for a period of 14 days before sample collecting. At the end, rats were used for biochemical, haematological and histopathological examinations. Administration of NPs (500 mg/kg) for 14 and 28 days in rats did not induce any change in hepatorenal and hematological parameters. However, rats treated with 1000 mg/kg for 14 days showed hepatotoxicity as revealed by increasing liver enzymes ALT, AST and LDH which led to hepatic oxidative stress indicated by enhanced level of malondialdehyde and diminished contents of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Rats treated with 1000 mg/kg for 14 days showed fibrosis and hemorrhage in liver parenchyma. All these abnormal changes were alleviated by discontinuation of treatment for 14 days later. Our findings showed that administration of Ce-Mn ferrite NPs (1000 mg/kg, i.p.) for 14 days induces oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and hepatic damage in rats which could be returned to normal conditions two weeks after discontinuation of treatment.