Anemia and genotoxicity induced by sub-chronic intragastric treatment of rats with titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen. 2015 Dec:794:25-31. doi: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2015.09.005. Epub 2015 Sep 25.

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are widely used for their whiteness and opacity. We investigated the hematological effects and genotoxicity of anatase TiO2 NPs following sub-chronic oral gavage treatment. TiO2-NPs were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Wistar rats were treated with anatase TiO2 NPs by intragastric administration for 60 days. Hematological analysis showed a significant decrease in RBC and HCT and a significant increase in MCV, PLT, MPV and WBC at higher doses. Furthermore, abnormally shaped red cells, sometimes containing micronuclei, and hyper-segmented neutrophil nuclei were observed with TiO2 NPs treatment. The micronucleus test revealed damage to chromosomes in rat bone marrow at 100 and 200mg/kg bw; the comet assay showed significant DNA damage at the same doses.

Keywords: Anemia; DNA damage; Genotoxicity; Hematopoietic system; Rat; Titanium dioxide nanoparticles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Macrocytic / chemically induced
  • Anemia, Macrocytic / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Comet Assay
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Male
  • Micronucleus Tests
  • Nanoparticles / adverse effects*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Titanium / adverse effects*
  • Toxicity Tests, Subchronic

Substances

  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium