Hematotoxicity Induced by Copper Oxide and/or Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Male Albino Rats

Background: Evaluation of nonmaterial’s interaction with blood ingredients is a part of preclinical risk assessment of newly-synthesized materials, especially for nano-sized pharmaceuticals which are intravenously administrated. Nanoparticles could induce oxidative stress that eventually leads to cell toxicity and hemolysis of RBCs at certain doses.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hematological changes induced by copper oxide and/or zinc oxide nanoparticles in male albino rats.

Materials and Methods: Twenty adult male rats were grouped randomly into four groups (n=5 each group). Group I (control): Rats were injected with saline intraperitoneally and at a dose of 1.0 ml/kg b. w. for 28 days. Group II (ZnONPs): Rats were administrated orally with ZnONPs (10 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. Group III (CuONPs): Rats were injected with CuONPs (0.5 mg/kg/day, in saline; intraperitoneally) for 28 days. Group IV (ZnONPs + CuONPs): Rats were given orally ZnONPs (10 mg/kg/day) followed by injected with CuONPs (0.5 mg/kg/day, in saline; intraperitoneally), for 28 days. At the end of the experimental period, rats were anesthetized using light ether. Blood samples were taken for hematological evaluation.

Results: Significant increase in WBC in the CuONPs and/or ZnONPs treated groups compared to the control group. Pronounced increase in WBC due treatments of rats with nanoparticles mixture compared to the individual treatments of each nanoparticles tested. The RBCs, Hb and HCT counts and concentration were significantly lower in the CuONPs, ZnONPs and their mixture treated groups compared to the control group. Significant increase in MCV and decrease in MCH values while no determine changes were observed in MCHC values in rats treated with CuONPs, ZnONPs and their mixture compared to the control group. Significant decrease in blood platelet levels in rats treated with CuONPs, ZnONPs and their mixture treated groups compared to the control group. Pronounced increase in platelet due treatments of rats with nanoparticles mixture compared to the individual treatments of each nanoparticles tested.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that Copper oxide and/or zinc oxide nano-particles induced changes in hematological parameters. Also, these results demonstrate that metal oxide nanoparticles induce a range of biological responses that vary from cytotoxic and can only be properly understood by using a tiered test strategy to study other aspects of nanoparticle toxicity. Caution should be taken in nano-particles use in workplace, preparations as well as while handling. 

Keywords: Copper oxide nanoparticles, Zinc oxide nanoparticles, Hematotoxicity, Hematological changes, CBC, RBCs, WBCs, Platelets.