Combined cerium and zinc oxide nanoparticles induced hepato-renal damage in rats through oxidative stress mediated inflammation

Abstract The toxicity profiles of nanoparticles (NPs) used in appliances nowadays remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the toxicological implications of cerium oxide (CeO 2 ) and zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs given singly or in combination on the integrity of liver and kidney of male Wistar rats. Twenty rats were assigned equally into four groups and treated as: Control (normal saline), CeO 2 NPs (50µg/kg), ZnONPs (80µg/kg) and [CeO 2 NPs (50µg/kg) + ZnONPs (80µg/kg)]. The NPs were administered intraperitoneally thrice weekly for four consecutive weeks. Results showed that administration of CeO 2 and ZnO NPs (Singly) increased serum AST and ALT by 29% & 57%; 41% & 18%, and co-administration by 53% and 23%, respectively. CeO 2 and ZnO NPs increased hepatic and renal malondialdehyde (MDA) by 33% and 30%; 38% and 67%, respectively, while co-administration increased hepatic and renal MDA by 43% and 40%, respectivelyThe combined NPs increased hepatic NO by 28%. Also, CeO 2 and ZnO NPs, and combined increased BAX, interleukin-1β and TNF-α by 45, 38, 52%; 47, 23, 82% and 41, 83, 70%, respectively. Histology revealed hepatic necrosis and renal haemorrhagic parenchymal in NPs-treated rats. Overall, NPs elicited oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver and kidney of the rats.