Modulatory role of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on oxidative stress in rat

The present investigation deals with the effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on rat liver and brain cells. Male wistar rats were intra peritoneally treated with different dose of magnetic ion nanoparticle (6.5 nm) for a different time periods. Antioxidative enzyme activity was measured in the liver and brain cells. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles significantly increase oxidative stress in a dose dependent and time-dependant manner in rat liver and brain cells. At 0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg dosage these nanoparticles did not show oxidative stress in the cells. At an acute dosage of 10 mg/kg magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles showed higher cytotoxicity than the control. Again at a dosage of 5.0 mg/kg magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles produce oxidative stress in these cells as reflected by reduced GSH levels and the elevated production of MDA, indicative of lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. Our study suggests that oxidative stress is likely to contribute to nanoparticle cytotoxicity. Copyright © 2010 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.