Oxidative Stress and Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract: Due to the intensive commercial application of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs, 40 nm), their health risk assessment is of great importance. For acute toxicity evaluation of orally administered Ag-NPs, aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and glutathione (GSH) level in the rat model were performed. One group of five male rats was orally administered Ag-NPs, once a day for 20 days with dose of 50 mg/kg, body weight. A control group was also made of five rats. Blood was collected 24 h after the last treatment following standard protocols. AgNPs exposure increased the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a significant decrease in blood aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and glutathione (GSH) level. Based on these results, it is suggested that short-term administration of high doses of Ag-NP may cause organ toxicity and oxidative stress.