Oxidative stress mediated cytotoxicity of TiO2 nano anatase in liver and kidney of Wistar rat

This study examined the adverse effects of TiO2 nanoparticle (nano-TiO2) on the kidney and liver of Wistar rats. Changes of serum biochemical parameters and pathological lesions indicated that liver and kidney were significantly affected in animals treated with 50 mg kg(-1) of nano-TiO2. The inverse relationship between the level of reactive oxygen species and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase indicates that nano-TiO2 induces oxidative stress. A significant increase in the apoptosis of liver and kidney in a dose-dependent manner was also observed. The ultrastructural observations confirmed the internalization of nano-TiO2 and their direct involvement in the mitochondria- mediated cytotoxicity. Data indicated that nano-TiO2 induce oxidative stress which produces genotoxicity such as oxidative DNA damage, micronuclei (MN) induction, and cell apoptosis in liver and kidney.