Toxicity of Nickel Nanoparticles and Nickel Chloride on Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes and Level of Lipid Peroxidation in Liver and Serum of Rats

Rapid development of the nanotechnology industry requires that we understand the toxicity of nanoparticles and factors associated with their risks to living organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) and nickel chloride on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in serum and liver of rats.

In this experimental study, 48 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (n=6). The control group did not receive any treatment, a sham group (normal saline), and experimental groups received Ni NPs and nickel chloride at concentrations of 5, 15 and 25 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection. After blood collection, liver tissue was isolated and homogenized to measure the activity of antioxidant enzymes: glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA).

Total antioxidant capacity of serum significantly decreased in NiONPs groups at doses of 5, 15, and 25 mg/kg (p=0.003, p=0.034, p=0.006) compared with the control, respectively. Furthermore, total antioxidant capacity in liver significantly decreased in NiONPs groups at doses of 5, 15, and 25 mg/kg (p=0.012, p=0.029, p=0.005), respectively. The mean serum and liver MDA levels of Ni NPs and NiCl2 groups significantly increased only at the dose of 25 mg/kg (p=0.03) and (p=0.014) compared to the control. The mean serum GST activity of Ni NPs groups significantly decreased at doses of 15 and 25 mg/kg (p=0.014) and (p=0.04) compared to the control, respectively.

Nickel nanoparticles probably induce the production of free radicals and oxidative stress. Decreased total antioxidant levels and increased MDA indicates oxidative stress of liver tissue.