Central neurotoxicity induced by the instillation of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles through the taste nerve pathway

作者：Chen Aijie; Liang Huimin; Liu Jia; Ou Lingling; Wei Limin; Wu Junrong; Lai Xuan; Han Xue; Shao Longquan^*

来源：Nanomedicine, 2017, 12(20): 2453-2470.

DOI：10.2217/nnm-2017-0171

• learning and memory
• neurotoxicity
• oxidative stress
• taste nerve
• TiO2 nanoparticle
• ZnO nanoparticle

Aim: To explore whether nanoparticles (NPs) can be transported into the CNS via the taste nerve pathway. Materials & methods: ZnO and TiO2 NPs were tongue-instilled to male Wistar rats. Toxicity was assessed by Zn/Ti biodistribution, histopathological examination, oxidative stress assay, quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR analysis, learning and memory capabilities. Results: ZnO NPs and TiO2 NPs significantly deposited in the nerves and brain, respectively. The histopathological examination indicated a slight injury in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Ultrastructural changes and an imbalanced oxidative stress were observed. The Morris water maze results showed that the learning and memory of rats were impaired. Conclusion: NPs can enter the CNS via the taste nerve translocation pathway and induce a certain adverse effect.

• 出版日期2017-10
• 单位温州医科大学; 暨南大学; 南方医科大学; 中国人民解放军第三〇九医院