Among different nanomaterials; Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a widely applied one, which is primarily used as a pigment due to its brightness, high refractive index, and resistance to discolouration. Nearly 70% of all the TiO2 NPs produced are used as pigments in paints, glazes, enamels, plastics, paper, fibres, foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics (e.g. toothpastes, UV sunscreens, shampoos, deodorants and shaving creams). Also TiO2 can be used as an antimicrobial agent, inorganic UV filter, a catalyst for air and water purification, medical applications and energy storage. Owing to the common use of TiO2 NPs in everyday life, it is very important to gain the knowledge about their toxicity and their potential harmful influence on human health and environment.
The objective of the present study was to demonstrate the effect of low and high dose TiO2 NPs exposure on spleen of adult male albino rats and if this effect is reversible or not.
Present study includes 45 adult male albino rats of weight range 150-200 g were used and were divided into three groups, each comprised 15 rats.
(1) Group I: (Control group) 15 rats were given oral gum acacia solution daily for 8 weeks.
(2) Group II: (low dose group) 15 rats: were given nanosized TiO2 (600 mg/ Kg/day) orally by gastric gavage daily for 8 weeks then left without any treatment until the end of the 12th week.
(3) Group III: (high dose group) 15 rats: were given nanosized TiO2 (1200 mg/ Kg/day) orally by gastric gavage daily for 8 weeks then left without any treatment until the end of the 12th week.
By the end of the experiment the animals were anesthetized by ether and sacrificed by cervical decapitation. Spleen specimens will be taken after 4, 8 and 12 weeks (withdrawal specimens) from the start of experiment. Spleen specimens were prepared to be stained with H&E for histological evaluation and immunohistochemistry staining for detection of CD4&CD68. Spleen sections were prepared to be examined by transmission electron microscope (T.E.M).
The study revealed the following results:
Low dose group (Group II) showed slight disturbance in architecture of white pulp in the 4th week specimens with insignificant increased CD4&CD68 immune reactivity (p |
