“Effects of iron oxide nanoparticles on male rats' thyroid and kidney functions”

Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs) are commonly used in a variety of applications, including wastewater treatment, paints, cosmetics, drug delivery, imaging, and targeted therapy such as anticancer and antimicrobial drugs, as well as industrial food dyes. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of Fe2O3 nanoparticles on male rats' thyroid and kidney functions considering exposure duration and dose. Fifty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this research in three groups, each group consisting of 18 rats. Each group was divided into three subsections of 6 mice that were exposed as follows: Animals in Group 1 were used as controls, and Groups 2 and 3 received oral treatments at 250 and 1000 mg/kg Fe2O3 NPs, respectively, for different periods of 15 days, 30 days, and 45 days and every animal had blood samples taken to measure the level of thyroid hormones, creatinine, and urea. The results of the current study showed a high significant increase (P≤0.01) in creatinine and urea levels which was an indicator of a malfunction in kidney function. Also, the TSH hormone level showed a high significant increase(P≤0.01) and a high significant decrease (P≤0.01) in the T3 and T4 hormone levels after exposure to different doses (250, 1000 mg/kg) of iron oxide nanoparticles for 15, 30 and 45 days, which had an effect on the function of the thyroid gland and caused hypothyroidism and this led to a decrease in the metabolism process.