General toxic and cardiovascular toxic impact of cadmium oxide nanoparticles

Introduction. Non-ferrous smelters are one of the critical nanoscale cadmium particles sources in the workplace and ambient air. Materials and methods. The research was performed to evaluate the subchronic toxicity of cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdO-NPs) in white outbred rats. Male outbred 3.5-month old rats received intraperitoneal injections of CdO-NPs 3 times a week for six weeks (18 in total) in doses of 0.25 mg/kg body mass. After the end of an exposure, there were rated more than 50 indices of universally accepted toxicity criteria (including biochemical and cytomorphometric). Student’s t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results. The hematotoxic effects of CdO-NPs were revealed by a decrease in the hemoglobin content, an increase in the number of reticulocytes, eosinophils, and monocytes. CdO NPs influenced porphyrin metabolism (an increase of δ-aminolevulinic acid in the urine). Liver toxicity resulted in an increase in organ mass and a decrease in albumin content and A/G index. Besides, there was observed a rise in γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and high-density lipoproteins in the blood serum. Oxidative stress level increased (decrease in catalase action and ceruloplasmin content). Endothelin-1 decreased. It may result from an observed decrease in blood pressure indices (statistically significant for mean B.P.). Conclusion. The intoxication of moderate severity was retrieved at the end of the subchronic exposure to cadmium oxide nanoparticles. It characterized mass, hematological, biochemical, and cytomophometric changes. There was found mild but evident cardiovascular toxicity of cadmium oxide nanoparticles.