title: Toxicological assessment of tungsten oxide nanoparticles in rats after acute oral exposure.
abstract: Advances in and the rapid growth of the nanotechnology sector have escalated manufacture of nanoparticles (NPs), resulting in a significant increase in the probability of exposure of humans and wildlife to these materials. Many NPs have been found to exert genotoxicity. Therefore, genotoxicity studies are mandatory to assess the toxicity of NPs as a concern of succumbing to genetic diseases and cancers are universal. Tungsten oxide (WO3) NPs are being explored extensively in various fields. However, the toxicological data of WO3NPs by oral route in mammals is limited. Hence, the goal of the current investigation was to evaluate the acute toxicity of WO3NPs and microparticles (MPs) after single oral administration with 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight doses in female Wistar rats. TEM, dynamic light scattering and laser Doppler velocimetry techniques were used to characterise the particles. The genotoxicity studies were conducted using comet, micronucleus and chromosomal aberration assays. Alterations in biochemical indices and metal distribution in various organs were also evaluated. The mean size of WO3NPs and MPs by TEM was 53.2 ± 1.91 nm and 5.17 ± 3.18 μm, respectively. The results revealed a significant increase in DNA damage and micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations after exposure to 1000 mg/kg dose of WO3NPs. Significant alterations in aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, reduced glutathione, catalase and malondialdehyde levels in serum and liver were found only at the higher dose of WO3NPs. Tungsten (W) biodistribution was observed in all the tissues in a dose-, time- and organ-dependent manner. In addition, the maximum concentration of W was found in the liver and the least in the brain was observed. The test substances were found to have a relatively low acute toxicity hazard. The data obtained gives preliminary information on the potential toxicity of WO3NPs and MPs.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India.|Department of Genetics, Osmania University, Osmania University Main Road, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India.
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chinde
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India.|Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India.
authors.forename: Naresh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dumala
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India.
authors.forename: Mohammed Fazlur
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500058, India.
authors.forename: Sarika Srinivas Kalyan
authors.initials: SSK
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India.
authors.forename: Srinivas Indu
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kumari
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahboob
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500007, India. paramgrover@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paramjit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grover
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D010087:Oxides / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014414:Tungsten / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D010087:Oxides; C511604:tungsten oxide; D014414:Tungsten
keywords: Biochemical; Biodistribution; Characterisation; Genotoxicity; Rats; Tungsten oxide nanoparticles