Comparative study on toxicity of Ni nanoparticle and Nickel chloride on liver enzymes and tissue in Rats

The toxicity of metals and their compounds is determined by their physicochemical properties. Thus, metals may compete for the biological binding sites and lead to incorrect function of biochemical macromolecules. The aim of this study was to investigate Ni NPs toxicity in compared to Nickel chloride on liver enzyme activity and the histopathological changes of liver tissue in male wistar rats. In this experimental study, 48 male rates were divided into six experimental groups and one control group and one sham group (n=6). Experimental groups received Ni NPs and nickel chloride with concentration of 5, 15 and 25 mg/ kg by intraperitoneal injection. At the end of 7th day, blood and liver specimen was collected for analysis. Assay of the activity of liver enzyme and histopathological study were performed. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test. Enzyme activities of AST and ALP in different doses of Ni NPs and nickel chloride and LDH activity in different doses of nickel chloride showed significant changes in the studied groups (p > 0.05). Histopathological study of liver were revealed dose dependent changes in rats treated with nickel chloride and nanoparticles compared to the control group. Some of the changes including necrosis, congestion, apoptosis and steatohepatitis was observed after exposure to different doses. Increasing of concentration liver enzymes and histopathological changes confirms the toxicity of Ni NPs and nickel chloride