Evaluation of hepatotoxicity following oral sub-chronic exposure of zinc nanoparticles in albino rats

Zinc nanoparticles are widely used in industry and cosmetic products with promising investment in treatment and medical diagnosis. However, these particles may reveal a high potential hazard for human health with no information associated with their exposure. The present work was carried out to investigate the histopathological and biochemical alterations induced in the hepatic tissues by zinc nanoparticles exposure. Wistar albino rats were exposed to Zn nanoparticles at a daily dose of 31.25 mg/kg body weight per day orally for 90 days. Rats were ethically sacrificed and liver samples were collected for histopathological examinations. In comparison with the control rats, the histological and histochemical alterations were demonstrated in the hepatic tissues of rats exposed to Zn nanoparticles: necrosis, inflammatory cells infiltration and hepatocytes degeneration. The results of the present work might indicate that Zn nanoparticles have potential hepatotoxic that may affect the function of the liver.