Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the toxic impacts of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) on rat kidneys and the possible prophylactic role of either quercetin or idebenone. TiO2-NPs were administered orally at either 600 mg or 1 g/kg body weight for 5 consecutive days to evaluate dose-dependent toxicity referred to the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals. The results showed that administration of either low or high repeated doses of TiO2-NPs to rats significantly increases serum kideney function biomarkers (urea, creatinine and uric acid) as well as increases in serum glucose and serum immuno- inflammatory biomarkers including tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobin g (IGg), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, angiogenic factor) and nitric oxide (NO) with a concomitant decrease in renal GSH content versus normal control values. The increase in these biomarkers was more evident in rats intoxicated with high TiO2-NPs repeated doses. Oral co- administration of either quercetin or idebenone (each 200mg/Kg body weight) daily for three weeks to rats intoxicated by either of the two doses markedly ameliorated TiO2-NPs induced alteration in the above biomarkers. The prophylactic impacts of both agents on biochemical markers were more pronounced in rats received low TiO2-NPs repeated doses. The biochemical investigation was supported by histological examination. In conclusion, The data showed the severity in renotoxicity of TiO2-NPs was dose-dependent and the protective effect of quercetin and idebenone may be related to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.