Journal of Animal Research

The present study entitled "Pathomorphological and Immunological Assessment of ZnO nanoparticles induced hepatic toxicity in male wistar rats" was undertaken. For this purpose, a total of 72 rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. The rats of group I were given normal basal feed and water as they served as control rats. The rats of Group II, III & IV were given aqueous solution of ZnO nanoparticles orally at the dose rate of 800 mg/kg BW, 400 mg/kg BW & 200 mg/kg BW, respectively. The histopathological alterations and immunological alterations were recorded at the intervals 15-, 30- and 45-days exposure of experimentation. Grossly, no marked changes were evident in liver of any treatment group upto 30 days of exposure period. Slight paleness was evident in liver at 45 days of exposure period. Histopathologically, normal histoarchitecture of hepatocytes was evident in all groups upto 15 days of exposure. Thereafter, cellular swelling, hydropic degeneration, focal necrosis and increased sinusoidal spaced were evident in liver of rats of groups II & III after 30 days. Hepatic IL-6 revealed a significant increase in group II after 30 days, while significant increase was evident in both groups II & III after 45 days of exposure. TNF-α increased significantly in group II in hepatic tissue after 30 days, while significant increase was evident in both groups II & III post 45 days of exposure. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that ZnO nanoparticles caused sub-acute toxicity at doses above 200mg/kg.