title: Evaluation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Toxicity on Liver Cells of BALB/c Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Because of their unique magnetic properties, Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) have extensive applications in various biomedical aspects. Investigation of the possible adverse aspects of these particles has lagged far behind their fast growing application.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The current study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of Fe3O4-NPs in the liver of mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present clinical trial, 90 BALB/c mice were randomly divided in 15 groups. Five control groups were fed by usual water and food. Five placebo groups were gavaged with physiological serum in doses of 25, 50, 75, 150, and 300 micrograms per gram of body weight (μg/gr). Five experimental groups were gavaged with Fe3O4-NPs, in doses of 25, 50, 75, 150, and 300 μg/gr. This pattern was repeated every other day, for 3 days. Then, the levels of liver enzymes [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] were compared between these groups. The histological alterations of livers were examined, as well. For statistical analysis, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney, with type I Bonferroni correction, as post-hoc, have been used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The administration of 150 and 300 μg/gr doses of Fe3O4-NPs were associated with significant elevation in liver enzymes, compared to controls (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the histopathological effects were observed in the liver tissue of these groups. However, in groups treated with lower doses of Fe3O4-NPs, no significant adverse effect was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on our results, the administration of Fe3O4-NPs causes dose dependent adverse effects on liver.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Sciences and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Kazem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parivar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Sciences and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Malekvand Fard
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Genetics, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mahdieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayat
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Hepatology, Middle East Liver Disease Center, Tehran, IR Iran; Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Moayed
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alavian
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Hepatology, Middle East Liver Disease Center, Tehran, IR Iran; Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mahsa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Motavaf
keywords: Alanine Transaminases; Alkaline Phosphatase; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Ferric Oxide; Hepatocytes; Liver; Nanoparticles