Role of Chitosan Nanoparticles in Improving Hepatic and Renal Toxicity Induced by Silver Nanoparticles Coated by Fe3O4 in Rats

Aims: Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are an important class of nanomaterials used as antimicrobial agents for a wide range of medical and industrial applications.Current study was performed to study the therapeutic effects of chitosan nanoparticles extract towards the treatments with Ag NPs in rat induced kidney and liver damage.

Study Design: A total of 60 male adult albino rats were equally divided into six groups (G1, Control group; G2, chitosan group; G3, Ag NPs group as acute toxicity; G4, acute Ag NPs+Chitosan group; G5, Ag NPs group as chronic toxicity; G6, chronic Ag NPs+Chitosan).

Results: Current results revealed that; a significant increase in the levels of serum ALT, AST, ALP, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride ions and MDA in liver and kidney tissues after treatments with Ag NPs (in case of acute and chronic toxicity) as compared to control group. In contrast; a significant decrease in serum albumin, total proteins, calcium ions, SOD, catalase and GSH in liver and kidney tissues after treatments with Ag NPs as compared to control groups. Treatment of Ag NPs with Chitosan nanoparticles (Ch NPs) improved this change in liver and kidney functions as compared to Ag NPs.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that the misuse of silver nanoparticles may contribute to continuous hepatic and renal damage. This shows that the desired dose of Ag NPs can safely be used with Chitosan in improving hepatic and renal damage in toxic group in young rats.