Comparable Toxicity of Surface-Modified TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles: An In Vivo Experimental Study on Reproductive Toxicity in Rats
Ana Todorović,
Katarina Bobić,
Filip Veljković,
Snežana Pejić,
Sofija Glumac,
Sanja Stanković,
Tijana Milovanović,
Ivana Vukoje,
Jovan M. Nedeljković,
Sanja Radojević Škodrić,
Snežana B. Pajović,
Dunja Drakulić
Affiliations
Ana Todorović
Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Katarina Bobić
Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Filip Veljković
Department of Physical Chemistry, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Snežana Pejić
Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Sofija Glumac
Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Sanja Stanković
Centre for Medical Biochemistry, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Tijana Milovanović
Public Company “Nuclear Facilities of Serbia”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Ivana Vukoje
Department of Radiation Chemistry and Physics, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Jovan M. Nedeljković
Department of Radiation Chemistry and Physics, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Sanja Radojević Škodrić
Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Snežana B. Pajović
Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Dunja Drakulić
Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Nanoparticles (NPs), a distinct class of particles ranging in size from 1 to 100 nm, are one of the most promising technologies of the 21st century, and titanium dioxide NPs (TiO2 NPs) are among the most widely produced and used NPs globally. The increased application of TiO2 NPs raises concerns regarding their global safety and risks of exposure. Many animal studies have reported the accumulation of TiO2 NPs in female reproductive organs; however, evidence of the resultant toxicity remains ambiguous. Since the surface area and chemical modifications of NPs can significantly change their cytotoxicity, we aimed to compare the toxic effects of pristine TiO2 powder with surface-modified TiO2 powders with salicylic acid (TiO2/SA) and 5-aminosalicylic acid (TiO2/5-ASA) on the ovaries, oviducts, and uterus on the 14th day following acute oral treatment. The results, based on alterations in food and water intake, body mass, organ-to-body mass ratio, hormonal status, histological features of tissues of interest, and antioxidant parameters, suggest that the modification with 5-ASA can mitigate some of the observed toxic effects of TiO2 powder and encourage future investigations to create NPs that can potentially reduce the harmful effects of TiO2 NPs while preserving their positive impacts.
