Evaluation of the cytotoxic combined effect of selenium and copper oxide nanoparticles in an acute experiment on rats

Introduction. In the scientific literature known to us, there are no experimental data on the combined human health effect of nanoparticles of selenium and copper oxides, the exposure to which is feasible in metallurgy.

Materials and methods. The cytotoxic effect was modelled on outbred female rats by a single intratracheal instillation of suspended nanoparticles of selenium and copper oxides at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml. Cytological and biochemical parameters of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were evaluated 24 hours after the administration of the suspension.

Results. The response of the lower airways to the combined exposure to SeO and CuO nanoparticles was more pronounced than that to the exposure to either of them, thus indicating its higher cytotoxicity as judged by cytological and biochemical parameters of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The combined cytotoxic effect of SeO and CuO nanoparticles was characterized by typological diversity. According to the overwhelming number of the parameters studied, the additive nature of the combined effect of high exposure doses of SeO and CuO nanoparticles was demonstrated.

Limitations. The research was limited to the study of the main indicators of cytotoxic effects.

Conclusion. To avoid underestimation of the cumulative health risk for workers in the chemical and slime shops of copper smelters, it is important to take into consideration the additive nature of the combined effect of toxicants under study.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was conducted in accordance with the European Convention for the Protection of Vertebrate Animals Used for Experimental and Other Scientific Purposes. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers (Minutes No. 2 of April 20, 2021).

Contribution:
Ryabova Yu.V. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, statistical analysis, manuscript preparation, and editing;
Tazhigulova A.V. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, statistical analysis.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version. 

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest. 

Acknowledgement. The study had no sponsorship. 

Received: October 27, 2022 / Accepted: December 8, 2022 / Published: January 12, 2023

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