Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Antibacterial Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: September 27, 2024
Zinc oxide nanoparticle induced age dependent immunotoxicity in BALB/c mice
Violet Aileen Senapati1, Govind Sharan Gupta1, Alok Kumar Pandey2
1Division of Biological & Life Sciences , School of Arts & Sciences , Ahmedabad University , University Road , Ahmedabad 380009 , Gujarat , India . Email: ashutosh.kumar@ahduni.edu.in ; ; Tel: +91-79-26302414.
Abstract:
Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have potential applications in cosmetics, food packaging and biomedicine but concerns regarding their safety need to be addressed. In the present study, the immunotoxic potential of ZnO NPs was evaluated in different ages of BALB/c mice after sub-acute exposure. The cytokine release, immunophenotyping, distribution of ZnO NPs and ultrastructural changes were assessed. A significant (p < 0.05) change in the CD4- and CD8-cells, levels of IL-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α and reactive oxygen species were observed in aged mice. In juvenile mice, increase in reactive oxygen species and IL-6 and TNF-α levels was observed with no significant changes in adult mice. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the expression levels of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade proteins such as phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-JNK and phospho-p38 were also induced in aged mice. Collectively, our results indicate that the aged mice are more susceptible to ZnO NP induced immunotoxicity.
Related Concept Videos
Oxidation Numbers
Pyruvate Oxidation
First, the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase removes the carboxyl group from pyruvate and releases it as carbon dioxide. The stripped molecule is then oxidized and releases electrons, which are then picked up by NAD+...
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Frequency-dependent Selection
The Effect of Aging on Tissues

