Neurotoxic Effects of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on the Somatosensory System of Rats Following Subacute Intratracheal Application
Leila Sárközi1, Edina Horváth1, Andrea Szabó1, Endre Horváth2,
András Sápi2, Gábor Kozma2, Zoltán Kónya2, and András Papp1
1 Department of Public Health, University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine, Szeged, Hungary
2 Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged Faculty of Science
and Informatics, Szeged, Hungary
Corresponding author: András Papp
Department of Public Health, University of Szeged Faculty of Medicine
Dóm tér 10
H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
Telephone: +36-62-545-119
Fax number: +36-62-545-120
E-mail: ppp@puhe.szote.u-szeged.hu
CEJOEM 2008, Vol.14. No.3.: 277-290
Key words:
nanoparticles, manganese, cadmium, lead, neurotoxicity
Abstract:
Metal-containing nanoparticles have newly been recognized as one of the major factors in occupational and
other inhalation exposures. Fumes containing manganese, cadmium or lead are formed in high-temperature industrial
processes. Metal oxide (MnO2, CdO2, PbO) nanoparticles were synthesized and instilled in
aqueous suspension in the trachea of rats for 6 weeks, and functional changes in the somatosensory system
were studied. From treated rats, as well as untreated and vehicle controls, spontaneous and stimulus-evoked
activity of the primary somatosensory cortex, and compound action potential from the tail nerve, were recorded
in urethane anaesthesia. In the spontaneous activity there was a shift to higher frequencies in all treated groups.
The latency of the somatosensory evoked potential was typically lengthened and its dependence on the frequency of
stimulation increased by high dose of Cd and Pb, and by high and low dose of Mn. On the tail nerve, Pb had the
strongest effect. The similarity of the three metals’ effects indicated common mechanisms of action, most likely
disturbance of Ca-dependent neuronal phenomena and oxidative stress.
Received: 30 January 2009
Accepted: 9 February 2009
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