Possible Protective Role of VitaminB12 against Silicon Dioxide(SiO2) Nanoparticles- Induced Liver Toxicity in Adult Male Rats

Abstract

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles are increasingly used in various applications including agriculture, industrial, medical and cosmetics despite of their toxicity. It causes lipid peroxidation, oxidative DNA damage, disruption of cell membrane, mitochondrial damage, apoptosis induction and anti-proliferative activity. Vitamin B12 is used as an antioxidant and offers protection against the oxidative stress. The present study aimed to investigate the protective role of vitamin B12 against the hepatotoxic potency of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) in adult male rats. Sixty male albino rats were used to study the biochemical analysis of liver function parameters, including ALT, AST, ALP, and albumin in the blood serum while, MDA, SOD and GSH were evaluated in liver tissue. In addition, the histological alteration, histochemical changes including polysaccharides and total proteins as well as immunohistochemistry study was detected. The experimental animals were divided into six groups, 10 rats each. Group1 (control): Rats received 0.5 ml of 0.9% saline orally for 8 weeks. Group 2 (Vit.B12): Rats were treated with saline for 4 weeks then treated with therapeutic dose of Vit.B12 (0.6 mg/kg b.wt.) daily for another 4 weeks. Group 3 (SiO2 NPs): Rats were treated orally with saline for 4 weeks then given SiO2 NPs (500 mg/kg b.wt.) twice a week for another 4 weeks. Group 4 (SiO2 NPs, Vit.B12 ): Rats were administrated with SiO2 NPs at dose (500 mg