Experimental evaluation of a bioprophylactic complex aimed at increasing resistance to neurotoxic effects of lead oxide nanoparticles

Introduction. We have already conducted successful experimental testing of bioprophylactic complexes increasing the body resistance to the general toxic, cytotoxic and/or genotoxic effects of heavy metal nanoparticles at the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection of Industrial Workers. At the same time, both our findings on specific neurotoxic effects of lead nanoparticles and data from the world literature necessitate the development and testing of a bioprophylactic complex aimed at reducing dysfunction of the nervous system.

Objective. Development and experimental testing of a bioprophylactic complex aimed at increasing the body resistance to neurotoxic effects of lead oxide nanoparticles (PbO NPs).

Material and method. The objects of the study were outbred female albino rats with the initial body weight of about 270 g, 14 animals per group. Inhalation exposure was simulated using PbO NPs of 18.2 ± 4.2 nm in size at a concentration of 1.55 ± 0.06 mg/m³, 4 hours a day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks.

Results. The analysis of data obtained during the assessment of post-exposure behavioral reactions of the rodents revealed a statistical increase in the number of squares crossed, head-dipping and rearing behaviors. The histomorphometric assessment of some structures of the rat brain showed a significant decrease in the thickness of the cerebellar cortex in the group of animals exposed to PbO NPs. In the preparations of the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum of the exposed rats, we observed a statistical increase in the number of degenerated neurons and a tendency towards an increase in the number of anucleate neurons. At the same time, in the group administered the bioprophylactic complex (hereinafter referred to as BPC) parallel to PbO NP inhalation exposure, similar indicators tended towards the control values, thus indicating mitigation of the toxic effect by bioprophylactic components.

Limitations. The study did not investigate the effects of lead oxide PM on male rats of similar age and weight. Sex differences in the described toxic effects of lead oxide PM and the protective effects of bioprophylaxis were not assessed.

Conclusion. The bioprotective complex mitigated neurotoxic effects of inhalation exposure to lead nanoparticles on the experimental animals.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was carried out in accordance with the “International guiding principles for biomedical research involving animals” (the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences, the International Council For Laboratory Animal Science, 2012). The work was approved by the Local Independent Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection of Industrial Workers is a Research Institute of Rospotrebnadzor (Protocol No. 5 dated 16.10.2023).

Author contributions:
Minigalieva I.A. – scientific editing;
Nikogosyan K.M. – conducting the experiment, writing the text;
Sutunkova M.P. – consulting, scientific editing;
Kungurtseva A.K. – conducting the experiment, histologic examination;
Petrunina E.M. – histologic examination;
Bateneva V.A. – conducting the experiment, writing the text.
All co-authors – approval of the final version of the article, responsibility for the integrity of all parts of the article.

Funding. The study had no sponsorship.

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

Accepted: September 27, 2024 / Revised: November 5, 2024 / Accepted: February 25, 2025 / Published: April 30, 2025

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