Effect of Molybdenum Trioxide Nanoparticles on the Kidney in Rats

Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) is a type of nanoparticle used in the industry as an antibacterial agent. The kidney is one of the most important organs in the body, responsible for filtering waste products and regulating blood factors that are affected by various agents. Due to the widespread use of MoO3 in disinfecting operating room equipment and the importance of renal glomeruli in blood plasma purification, this study aimed to determine the effect of molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles on rat kidneys.

In this experimental study, thirty Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into five groups (n=6), including a control group, a sham group (receiving normal saline), and three experimental groups (receiving MoO3 at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/bw IP). Intraperitoneal injections were given for 35 days. After the treatment period, the animals were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected from the heart. The right kidney was then removed, and after tissue preparation, the samples were examined by stereology to determine changes in the volume of cortex, medulla, urinary space, renal body, and glomeruli.

Significant increases in urinary space volume were observed in the groups receiving MoO3, and a decrease in medulla volume was observed in the group receiving a dose of 200 mg/kg/bw compared to the control and sham groups (P<0.05). A significant increase in cortex volume was observed in the group receiving nanoparticles at a dose of 50 mg/kg/bw compared to the control and sham groups. MoO3 caused weight reduction in animals, as well as an increase in urea and a decrease in renal volume (P<0.05).

Molybdenum trioxide nanoparticles can cause changes in the morphology of rats' kidneys.