The protective effects of vitamins A, C, and E on zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs)-induced liver oxidative stress in male Wistar rats

Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are increasingly utilized in both industrial and medical applications. Therefore, the study was aimed to investigate the effect of green nanoparticle complex (green tea extract/zinc oxide nanoparticles complex, GTE/ZnO NPs) on oxidative stress induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the liver of rats. Methods: Wistar male rats (n=64) weighing between 200-250 g were divided randomly into eight groups: control group was given physiological saline (1 mg/kg), two groups were treated with two different doses of MSG (MSG-LD, MSG-HD; 6 and 17.5 mg/Kg, respectively), GTE was given 1 mg/mL, 5th group was treated with ZnO NPs and 6th group was treated with GTE/ZnO NPs complex while, 7th and 8th groups were treated with MSG-LD + GTE/ZnO NPs complex and MSG-HD + GTE/ZnO NPs complex, respectively. All substances were given orally for 30 consecutive days. At the end of the study, the liver was homogenized for measurement of the oxidative stress status and anti-inflammatory biomarkers as well as histological and transmission alternations. Results: Results showed that the antioxidant enzymes activity and glutathione level were significantly decreased in MSG groups than control in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, the malondialdehyde and inflammatory cytokines levels were significantly increased in MSG groups than the control group. The liver indicated no evidence of alteration in oxidative status, anti-inflammatory and morphological parameters in GTE, ZnO NPs and GTE/ZnO NPs complex groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, MSG at both doses caused oxidative stress and inflammation on liver after 28 days of exposure that supported histological analysis and transmission view of hepatic parenchyma. GTE/ZnO NPs act as partial hepato-protective against MSG.

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Role of Autophagy in Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles-Induced Apoptosis of Mouse LEYDIG Cells

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms20164042 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (16) ◽

pp. 4042 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Jingcao Shen ◽

Dan Yang ◽

Xingfan Zhou ◽

Yuqian Wang ◽

Shichuan Tang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Zinc Oxide ◽

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Leydig Cells ◽

Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Zno Nps ◽

Sperm Density ◽

Induced Apoptosis

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have shown adverse health impact on the human male reproductive system, with evidence of inducing apoptosis. However, whether or not ZnO NPs could promote autophagy, and the possible role of autophagy in the progress of apoptosis, remain unclear. In the current study, in vitro and in vivo toxicological responses of ZnO NPs were explored by using a mouse model and mouse Leydig cell line. It was found that intragastrical exposure of ZnO NPs to mice for 28 days at the concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day disrupted the seminiferous epithelium of the testis and decreased the sperm density in the epididymis. Furthermore, serum testosterone levels were markedly reduced. The induction of apoptosis and autophagy in the testis tissues was disclosed by up-regulating the protein levels of cleaved Caspase-8, cleaved Caspase-3, Bax, LC3-II, Atg 5, and Beclin 1, accompanied by down-regulation of Bcl 2. In vitro tests showed that ZnO NPs could induce apoptosis and autophagy with the generation of oxidative stress. Specific inhibition of autophagy pathway significantly decreased the cell viability and up-regulated the apoptosis level in mouse Leydig TM3 cells. In summary, ZnO NPs can induce apoptosis and autophagy via oxidative stress, and autophagy might play a protective role in ZnO NPs-induced apoptosis of mouse Leydig cells.

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Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Prime a Protective Immune Response in Galleria mellonella to Defend Against Candida albicans

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.766138 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Mei-nian Xu ◽

Li Li ◽

Wen Pan ◽

Huan-xin Zheng ◽

Meng-lei Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Zinc Oxide ◽

Candida Albicans ◽

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Galleria Mellonella ◽

Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Zno Nps

Purpose: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have exerted antimicrobial properties. However, there is insufficient evaluation regarding the in vivo antifungal activity of ZnO-NPs. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of ZnO-NPs in controlling Candida albicans in the invertebrate Galleria mellonella.Methods:Galleria mellonella larvae were injected with different doses of ZnO-NPs to determine their in vivo toxicity. Non-toxic doses of ZnO-NPs were chosen for prophylactic injection in G. mellonella followed by C. albicans infection. Then the direct in vitro antifungal effect of ZnO-NPs against C. albicans was evaluated. In addition, the mode of action of ZnO-NPs was assessed in larvae through different assays: quantification of hemocyte density, morphology observation of hemocytes, characterization of hemocyte aggregation and phagocytosis, and measurement of hemolymph phenoloxidase (PO) activity.Results: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were non-toxic to the larvae at relatively low concentrations (≤20 mg/kg). ZnO-NP pretreatment significantly prolonged the survival of C. albicans-infected larvae and decreased the fungal dissemination and burden in the C. albicans-infected larvae. This observation was more related to the activation of host defense rather than their fungicidal capacities. Specifically, ZnO-NP treatment increased hemocyte density, promoted hemocyte aggregation, enhanced hemocyte phagocytosis, and activated PO activity in larvae.Conclusion: Prophylactic treatment with lower concentrations of ZnO-NPs protects G. mellonella from C. albicans infection. The innate immune response primed by ZnO-NPs may be part of the reason for the protective effects. This study provides new evidence of the capacity of ZnO-NPs in enhancing host immunity and predicts that ZnO-NPs will be attractive for further anti-infection applications.

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Foliar Sprayed Green Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Mitigate Drought-Induced Oxidative Stress in Tomato

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants10112400 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2400

Author(s):

Manal El-Zohri ◽

Naseem A. Al-Wadaani ◽

Sameera O. Bafeel

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Zinc Oxide ◽

Drought Stress ◽

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Foliar Spray ◽

Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Severe Drought ◽

Zno Nps ◽

Drought Conditions ◽

Tomato Growth

This study explored the effectiveness of green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) foliar spray on tomato growth and oxidative stress relief under drought conditions. Tomato plant subjected to four water regimes (100, 75, 50, and 25% FC), and in the same while seedlings were sprayed with 25, 50, and 100 mg/L green ZnO-NPs. The results showed that tomato growth parameters reduced significantly by increasing drought stress levels, while ZnO-NPs enhanced plant growth under all studied drought levels. Out of three ZnO-NPs concentrations tested, 25 and 50 mg/L ZnO-NPs proved to be the optimum treatments for alleviating drought stress. They increased shoot and root biomass compared to untreated controls. Application of 25 and 50 mg/L ZnO-NPs enhanced shoot dry weight by about 2–2.5-fold, respectively, under severe drought conditions (25%) compared to ZnO-NPs untreated plants. The application of 25 and 50 mg/L green ZnO-NPs decreased the drought-induced oxidative stress as indicated by the reduction in malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide concentrations compared to untreated controls. While 100 mg/L ZnO-NPs further increased oxidative stress. The beneficial effects of ZnO-NPs were evident in the plants’ defensive state, in which the concentration of ascorbic acid, free phenols, and the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase were maintained at higher levels compared to NPs-untreated plants. At severe drought conditions, 25 mg/L ZnO-NPs induced SOD, CAT, and APX activity by about 3.99-, 3.23-, and 2.82-fold of their corresponding controls, respectively. Likewise, at 25% FC, SOD, CAT, and APX activity increased with 50 mg/L ZnO-NPs by about 4.58-, 3.57-, and 3.25-fold consecutively compared with their respective controls. Therefore, foliar use of green ZnO-NPs at lower concentrations might be suggested as an efficient way for enhancing tomato tolerance to drought stress.

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The Effects of Pentoxifylline on Memory in Male Rats Treated with Zinc Oxide NPs

The Journal of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences ◽

10.32598/jqums.25.1.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Niloufar Darbandi ◽

◽

Zeynab Vasheghani Farahani ◽

Hamidreza Momeni ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Zinc Oxide ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Blood Serum ◽

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Male Rats ◽

Control Group ◽

Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Zno Nps ◽

Ca1 Region

Background: Zinc oxide Nanoparticles (NPs) present irreversible effects on the nervous system, memory, and learning. Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the effects of pentoxifylline on memory impairments, CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells, and blood serum antioxidant enzymes in male rats treated with zinc oxide NPs. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into the control, zinc oxide NPs (1.25 mg/kg), pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg), and pentoxifylline with zinc oxide NPs groups. In all study groups, saline, zinc oxide NPs, and pentoxifylline were intraperitoneally injected 30 minutes before training. In the co-treatment group, pentoxifylline was injected one hour before injecting Zno NPs. After performing the behavioral test, the tested animals’ brains were fixed and the number of healthy neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was counted. In all research groups, malondialdehyde levels, total antioxidant power, superoxide dismutase levels, and glutathione peroxidase in blood serum were measured. Results: Zinc oxide nanoparticles decreased memory and the number of healthy neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and increased oxidative stress in blood serum, compared to the controls. In the co-treatment group, using pentoxifylline improved the above-mentioned factors and reached the level of the control group. Pentoxifylline alone presented no significant effect on the aforementioned characteristics, compared to the control group. Conclusion: ZnO NPs may decrease memory retrieval and cause cell death in the pyramidal neurons of the CA1 region of the hippocampus by increasing oxidative stress. Pentoxifylline, as a potent antioxidant, can prevent the harmful effects of ZnO NPs.

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Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Damage Tobacco BY-2 Cells by Oxidative Stress Followed by Processes of Autophagy and Programmed Cell Death

Nanomaterials ◽

10.3390/nano10061066 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 1066 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ľudmila Balážová ◽

Matej Baláž ◽

Petr Babula

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Cell Death ◽

Zinc Oxide ◽

Programmed Cell Death ◽

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Cell Model ◽

Membrane Integrity ◽

Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Zno Nps ◽

Wide Range

Nanomaterials, including zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), have a great application potential in many fields, such as medicine, the textile industry, electronics, and cosmetics. Their impact on the environment must be carefully investigated and specified due to their wide range of application. However, the amount of data on possible negative effects of ZnO NPs on plants at the cellular level are still insufficient. Thus, we focused on the effect of ZnO NPs on tobacco BY-2 cells, i.e., a widely accepted plant cell model. Adverse effects of ZnO NPs on both growth and biochemical parameters were observed. In addition, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species visualizations confirmed that ZnO NPs may induce oxidative stress. All these changes were associated with the lipid peroxidation and changes in the plasma membrane integrity, which together with endoplasmatic reticulum and mitochondrial dysfunction led to autophagy and programmed cell death. The present study demonstrates that the phytotoxic effect of ZnO NPs on the BY-2 cells is very complex and needs further investigation.

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