Acute neuro-biochemical changes induced by nitrogen-tungsten co-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Nitrogen-tungsten co-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles (W-N-doped TiO2 NPs) are employed for the photocatalytic degradation of environmental pollutants. However, the potential impact of these nanoparticles on the central nervous system remains a subject of concern. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of W-N-doped TiO2 NPs on neurophysiological and biochemical parameters of healthy rat brains, including behavioral monitoring, electroencephalogram analysis, and oxidative stress markers quantification. Intraperitoneal administration of W-N-doped TiO2 NPs to rats revealed abnormal brain electrical activity and an altered sense of balance in the treated rats. The ability of W-N-doped TiO2 NPs to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the brain leads to oxidative stress damage, supported by the elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitrite concentration, and malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, exposure to W-N-doped TiO2 NPs significantly reduced the antioxidant enzyme levels, such as catalase and superoxide dismutase, impacting a significant decrease in dopamine and acetylcholinesterase within the rat neural tissue. Furthermore, the inflammatory biomarker tumor necrosis factor-alpha and 8-hydroxy 2-deoxyguanosine significantly increased in response to W-N-doped TiO2 NPs. The findings revealed the adverse effects of W-N-doped TiO2 NPs on the electrical activity of rat brains and the altered concentration of various neuro-biomarkers, highlighting their potential neurotoxicity.