Histological analysis of 70-nm silica particles-induced chronic toxicity in mice

Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2009 Aug;72(3):626-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2009.03.007. Epub 2009 Mar 31.

Abstract

Nano-sized silica is a promising material for disease diagnosis, cosmetics and drugs. For the successful application of nano-sized material in bioscience, evaluation of nano-sized material toxicity is important. We previously found that nano-sized silica particles with a diameter of 70 nm showed acute liver failure in mice. Here, we performed histological analysis of major organs such as the liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain and heart in mice, chronically injected with 70-nm silica particles for 4 weeks. Histological analysis revealed hepatic microgranulation and splenic megakaryocyte accumulation in these 70-nm silica particles treated mice, while the kidney, lung, brain and heart remained unaffected. Thus, liver and spleen appear to be the major target organs for toxicity by the chronic administration of the 70-nm silica particles.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / etiology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Histocytochemistry / methods
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Particle Size
  • Silicon Dioxide / administration & dosage*
  • Silicon Dioxide / toxicity*
  • Splenic Diseases / chemically induced
  • Splenic Diseases / pathology*

Substances

  • Silicon Dioxide