title: Zinc oxide nanoparticles reduce apoptosis and oxidative stress values in isolated rat pancreatic islets.
abstract: Although toxic effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have been previously studied, there are still controversies in terms of dose, size, shape, and affecting cells. By such a perspective, in this study, small size of ZnO NPs with a diameter of 10 nm at low concentrations was studied for any effect on the viability and function of isolated rat pancreatic islets. Islets of Langerhans were isolated and assessed for viability, functionality (insulin secretion), cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS), and apoptosis by flow cytometry. The LC50 of ZnO NPs was found at 1,400 ng/mL at the first phase of the study. A meaningful increase in viability of islets and insulin secretion in basal and even stimulated concentrations of glucose was found by ZnO NPs (70 ng/mL) with p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively. Likewise, ZnO NPs in 70 ng/mL concentration decreased cytosolic ROS generation (p < 0.05). In the meantime, the percentage of early stage of apoptotic cells dropped down to 17 % (from 29 % of control). These results for the first time confirm that ZnO NPs are not only safe when used at dose of 70 ng/mL but also improve viability and function of pancreatic islets and meanwhile reduce oxidative stress and prevent cells from entering the apoptotic phase.
authors.affiliation: Ahar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahar, Iran.
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shoae-Hagh
authors.forename: Mahban
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahimifard
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navaei-Nigjeh
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baeeri
authors.forename: Mahdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gholami
authors.forename: Azadeh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammadirad
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdollahi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015034:Zinc Oxide