Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are increasingly and extensively being applied for biomedical purposes. However, studies on the safety/toxicity profiles of AgNPs are limited. This necessitates the further studies in this direction. Here, we studied the effect of AgNP administration on rat serum metabolites and tissue morphology.
Methods: Rats were randomly distributed into eight groups of five animals each. Oral administration of AgNPs to rats at 100, 1000, and 5000 mg/kg was done daily and carried out for 7, 14, and 21 days alternately. The control received distilled water. Animals were sacrificed under diethyl ether anesthesia 24 h after cessation of last treatments. The blood and vital organs were harvested and prepared for biochemical and histopathology examinations, respectively.
Results: Data revealed that AgNP administration at the different dosages caused elevated serum urea and creatinine levels. On the other hand, levels of inorganic phosphate in rat serum following administration of AgNPs were significantly (p<0.05) reduced. Also, administration at 1000 and 5000 mg/kg AgNPs in rats decreased serum levels of sodium. In contrast, AgNP administration in rats caused elevated (p<0.05) serum potassium levels. The histopathological presentations show diverse inimical alterations to cellular architecture in rats administered with AgNPs.
Conclusions: We show evidence suggesting that AgNPs may have potential to adversely affect the kidney functions as well as capability to cause myriad of cellular damage.