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

Background: Rapid developmental activities have made heavy metals ubiquitous contaminants of the environment. Heavy metals and their possible effects on living world have increasingly become a prime focus of the environmental biology. The toxicological investigations of nanoparticles are highly recommended because of the increasing use in various industrial and consumer products.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of copper oxide and/or zinc oxide nanoparticles on serum lipids profile 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 and prepared for biochemical measurements.

Results: Serum chloesterol and triglycerides were decreased due to exposure of rats to CuONPs, ZnONPs and their mixture compared to control group. Also, a reduction in serum high density lipoprotein was observed compared to control groups, while serum low density lipoprotein was increased in rats treated with CuONPs, ZnONPs and their mixture. Conclusion: It can be concluded that exposure of rats to copper oxide and zinc oxide nano-particle produced different patterns of dyslipidemia. Caution should be taken in nano-particles use in work place, preparations as well as while handling.. 

Keywords: Copper oxide nanoparticles, Zinc oxide nanoparticles, CuO and ZnO nanoparticles mixture, Lipid profile, Dyslipidemia.