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Preparation and Photoacoustic Analysis of Cellular Vehicles Containing Gold Nanorods
Published on: May 2, 2016
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Safety protocol for the gold nanoparticles administration in rats.
Alexandre Pastoris Muller1, Gabriela Kozuchovski Ferreira2, Sabrina da Silva1
1Laboratório de Fisiologia e Bioquímica do Exercício, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, 88806-00 Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
Summary
Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) show therapeutic potential. Administering 20nm GNPs every 48 hours reduced oxidative stress in the brain without toxicity, unlike administration every 24 hours.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Assessing GNP therapeutic benefits and toxicity is crucial due to potential health concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of intraperitoneal gold nanoparticle (20nm) administration on oxidative stress, antioxidant status, and electron transport chain (ETC) activity in the brain.
- To determine optimal administration timing (every 24h vs. 48h) for potential therapeutic benefits and to assess liver and blood markers for toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Mice received intraperitoneal injections of 20nm GNPs (2.5mg/L) every 24 or 48 hours for 21 days.
- Evaluated brain oxidative stress (superoxide, nitric oxide, DCFH), antioxidant status (sulfhydryl, carbonyl, SOD, GPx, CAT, GSH), and ETC activity.
- Conducted liver histology and blood analyses for cholesterol, triglycerides, and transaminases.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in liver or blood markers (cholesterol, triglycerides, transaminases) were observed with either administration schedule.
- Brain superoxide and nitric oxide levels remained unchanged; however, dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCFH) levels decreased in the 48h GNP group.
- The 48h GNP group showed increased brain ETC activity, while the 24h GNP group exhibited significant brain parenchyma damage, including necrosis and leukocyte infiltration.
Conclusions:
- Gold nanoparticle administration every 48 hours at 2.5mg/L demonstrates potential therapeutic benefits in the brain, indicated by reduced oxidative stress and enhanced ETC activity.
- The 24-hour administration interval resulted in significant neurotoxicity, highlighting the importance of administration frequency.
- A 48-hour interval for GNP administration appears to be a safer and potentially therapeutic regimen.
