Biological prophylaxis of the cytotoxic effect of lead oxide nanoparticles: an experimental study

Introduction. As of today, lead is one of the most common metals found in production facilities of developing industrial countries, both as a primary and secondary product released into the workplace air during various technological processes, including in the form of nanoparticles (NPs). The effect of NPs at the cellular level is associated with the development of a cytotoxic responses. In the context of this work, the cytotoxic effect of exposure to lead oxide (PbO) NPs was reduced by components of a bioprophylactic complex (BPC) that increase the natural resistance to hazards.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted on female albino rats that were exposed to PbO NPs in the nose-only inhalation exposure system for 4 hours a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks, while half of the animals received the BPC with feed and drink throughout the entire exposure period. After cessation of exposure, we assessed hematological indices, cytological and biochemical indices of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the rats. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test.

Results. Inhalation exposure to PbO NPs induced adverse changes in some blood indices, BALF cytological and biochemical indices in the experimental rats, which were leveled out by the use of BPC, as evidenced by their comparability to those ​​in the control group.

Limitations. Laboratory rodents of the same biological species and sex were used for the experiment. A single dose of the toxicant was used. The study was limited to establishing the main indices of the cytotoxic effect.

Conclusion. This experimental study shows the positive impact of BPC components aimed at mitigating the cytotoxic effect of exposure to lead oxide nanoparticles in rats.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers (protocol No. 5 of October 16, 2023).

Contribution:
Minigalieva I.A. – study conception and design, scientific editing;
Tazhigulova A.V. – data processing, draft manuscript preparation, editing;
Sutunkova M.P. – study conception and design, scientific editing;
Shabardina L.V. – experiment, data collection and analysis;
Nikogosyan K.M. – experiment, data collection and analysis;
Bateneva V.A. – draft manuscript preparation.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of its final version.

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

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

Received: June 9, 2025 / Accepted: September 19, 2025 / Published: October 20, 2025

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