The effects of silver nanoparticles on Creatinine, BUN and blood electrolytes in laboratory male mice (Mus musculus)

Recently, it has been paid attention to silver nanoparticles (SNPs), but less attention has been to their toxicity. This study was aimed to investigate acute effects of oral silver nanoparticles (SNPs) on biochemical parameters of kidney (Creatinine and BUN) and blood electrolytes in laboratory male mice (Mus musculus). In this experimental study, A group 45 BALB/c mice about 4 weeks (weighting 24.2±3.0 g) were randomly divided into three groups: 2 nanosilver (SNPs) treatments (1,2) and one control group, each with 15 mice. Once a day at the same time, a volume of 50 microliters from the nanosilver solution (20 and 50 ppm) was administered to the treatment groups while in the untreated (control) group only distilled water was used. Then, on 2, 7, and 14 day, blood sampling was done using cardiac puncture. Serum level of creatinine, BUN, sodium and potassium were measured in the control and treatments (20ppm-treated group and 50ppm-treated group). Data were analyzed using SPSS software and two way ANOVA test at significant level of P<0.05. On day 2 of the experiment, average level of creatinine of 20ppm-treated group was significantly higher than to the control group (P>0.05), but levels of blood urea nitrogen in both 20- and 50ppm-treated groups compared to the control were not significant(P>0.05). In addition, average sodium level of 20ppm-treated group showed a significant increase in relation to the control group on day 14 (P<0.05). Average potassium level of 50ppm-treated group showed a significant decrease in relation to the control group on day 2 (P<0.05). Moreover, average potassium level in 20ppm-treated group on day 7 and in both 20- and 50ppm-treated groups on day 14 decreased significantly(P<0.05). This study showed that orally-administered SNPs may have negative effects on the biochemical parameters of kidney and blood electrolytes. They should be applied cautiously.