MECHANISMS AND MARKERS OF ACUTE MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES-INDUCED INTOXICATION IN RATS

Background. Being the products of modern nanomanufacturing carbon nanotubes exhibit high surface reactivity, outstanding chemical, optical, and electrical properties, as well as high toxicity. Objective. To determine the effects and markers of carbon nanoparticle – induced intoxication in experimental rats, liver mitochondria being the main target of the exposure. Material and methods. Acute intoxication in rats was induced by a single injection of multilayer carbon nanotubes (diameter 50–90 nm) at a dosage of 50 mg/kg. We measured bilirubin and aminotransferase blood plasma levels, oxidative stress level, respiratory activity as well as membrane potential of rat liver mitochondria. Results. We did not reveal significantly elevated blood plasma levels of liver damage markers (bilirubin and aminotransferase activity levels), but detected erythrocyte oxidative stress due to carbon nanotube–induced intoxication. The toxic effect did not change the respiratory activity and membrane potential of rat liver mitochondria. Conclusion. Acute toxic effect of nanoparticles did not cause elevation either in blood plasma levels of liver damage markers or of the activity of liver mitochondria, but increased the sensitivity of mitochondria to calcium ions. It can be assumed that large hydrophobic carbon nanotubes are not readily absorbed and distributed in tissues after single administration in rats.