Date of Award

2012

Degree Name

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Eric R. Blough

Second Advisor

David S. Mallory

Third Advisor

Bin Wang

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that use of nanoceria in industry is associated with increased risk of human and environmental exposure. How inhaled nanoceria might affect the kidneys is not yet known. To investigate this possibility, Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a single dose of 7mg/kg body weight cerium oxide nanoparticles by intratracheal instillation. Animals were sacrificed at day 1, 3, 14, or 28 days after exposure and the kidneys collected for histological and biochemical analysis. No significant difference was observed in kidney to body weight ratio between the different groups. Hematoxylin and eosin staining did not reveal any significant changes in kidney morphology. Compared to control animals, immunoblot analysis revealed a significant decrease in the Bax/Bcl2 ratio, a decreased ratio of phosphorylated to total JNK, and a diminished phosphorylated to total p44/42 ratio. There was a decrease in caspase‐3 activity in the 28 day exposure group. The data obtained from this study indicate that the inhalation of cerium oxide nanoparticles is not associated with significant nephrotoxicity. Further studies of longer duration or using higher dosages of cerium oxide may be needed to confirm this conclusion.

Subject(s)

Oxidative stress.

Chemicals - Health aspects.

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