Assessment of Long-term Toxic Effects of Copper Nanocomposite

Background: This article presents the results of a study on the toxic effects of a copper oxide nanocomposite compound on the body of white rats over short- and long-term experiments. Methods: The copper oxide nanocomposite compound was orally administered daily to the rats at 500µg/kg for 10 days. The examination of the effects was carried out immediately after the completion of the exposure to the nanocomposite and four months post exposure. Biochemical and hematological parameters in the blood, and the morphology of the brain cells in the sensorimotor cortex, and in liver and kidney cells were also investigated. Results: The experimental findings indicated that the nanocomposite compound caused alterations in the biochemical and hematological parameters in the rats’ blood. It also affected the morphology of the rats’ brain sensorimotor cortex, without causing pronounced changes in the structure of the rats’ liver and kidneys. We also found that the copper oxide nanocomposite had a primary genotoxic effect on blood cells. In the long-term, the toxic effect of the nanocomposite compound declined. Conclusions: The copper oxide nanocomposite at 500μg/kg had adverse effects on the normal metabolism of the rats and was toxic to their liver and kidney cells. The cytotoxic effects of this compound were observed in the arabinogalactan matrix of the liver and kidney cells. The histological alterations were significant, which warrants further investigations when researchers plan to use this compound in animals or humans as a drug because of its antibacterial properties.