Comparable Toxicity of Surface-Modified TiO₂ Nanoparticles: An In Vivo Experimental Study on Reproductive Toxicity in...

Nanoparticles (NPs), a distinct class of particles ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm, are one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century, and titanium dioxide NPs (TiO₂ NPs) are among the most widely produced and used NPs globally. The increased application of TiO₂ NPs raises concerns regarding their global safety and risks of exposure. Many animal studies have reported the accumulation of TiO₂ NPs in female reproductive organs; however, evidence of the resultant toxicity remains ambiguous. Since the surface area and chemical modifications of NPs can significantly change their cytotoxicity, we aimed to compare the toxic effects of pristine TiO₂ powder with surface-modified TiO₂ powders with salicylic acid (TiO₂/SA) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (TiO₂/5-ASA) on the ovaries, oviducts, and uterus on the 14th day following acute oral treatment. The results, based on alterations in food and water intake, body mass, organ-to-body mass ratio, hormonal status, histological features of tissues of interest, and antioxidant parameters, suggest that the modification with 5-ASA can mitigate some of the observed toxic effects of TiO₂ powder and encourage future investigations to create NPs that can potentially reduce the harmful effects of TiO₂ NPs while preserving their positive impacts.