The Effects of Combined toxicity of Silver and Silicon Nanoparticles on Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Male Albino Mice

Abstract

     In this study, the potential combined effects of silver (AgNPs) and silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO₂NPs) on male albino mice which were exposed intraperitoneally to the 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg and mixed concentrations of nanoparticles (NPs) for periods of 2 and 4 weeks, were evaluated. The evaluation was performed by examining the haematological and biochemical parameters, in addition to the bioaccumulation of NPs in the liver and kidney. The results showed that the platelets count significantly increased in all exposed groups, while red blood cell count (RBCs) decreased in most exposed groups. White blood cells (WBCs) and haemoglobin (Hb) showed different levels in the exposed groups. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels also showed a significant increase in the exposed groups, except in the groups exposed to 100 mg/kg of NPs for 2 weeks. Whereas  blood urea nitrogen) BUN) serum level showed a significant decrease in all exposed groups. However, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP), uric acid (UA) and creatinine (CR) levels did not show any significant alternations in the exposed groups. Significant increase was also noted in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels among the exposed groups. An accumulation of AgNPs and SiO₂NPs was observed both in livers and kidneys in the exposed groups. The results showed that SiO₂NPs have a synergistic effect on AgNPs accumulation in the groups exposed to mixed nanoparticles.