Acute Toxicity Study of Titanium Dioxide Nano Fibers In The Lung of Sprague Dawley rats

In the past two decades, nanotechnology has grown tremendously as a topic of research in the scientific community. Synthetic nanomaterials have many unique chemical and physical properties, mainly due to their huge specific surface area and quantum confinement effect. Specifically titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterial have high stability, anticorrosive and photocatalytic properties. These nanomaterials have applications for semiconductor photocatalysis, treatment of water or as a photoactive material in nanocrystalline solar cells. Recent studies show that TiO2 nanoparticle exposed to UV light irradiation show antibacterial properties and because of this they are under investigation for its use in nanomedicine. However, there are concerns over adverse effects resulting from bio-effects. The objective of the present study is to investigate the adverse effect associated with acute ingestion of TiO2 nanofiber (TDNF). TDNF was fabricated via electrospinning method, followed by dissolution in water. Six to seven weeks‰Ûª male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a total of 0, 40 and 60 ppm of TDNF for two weeks via oral gavage. Rats were euthanized via CO2 asphyxiation. Various organs including the lung were snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Sections of the tissues were also fixed in neutral buffered formalin for histopathological analysis. Lungs would then undergo various experiments (total protein analysis, ELISA assay of Igha gene, genome-wide analysis-Microarray Assay, qRT-PCR, etc.) to fully assess the toxicity of TDNF in rat lungs. It is important to study all outlets of toxicity for a given compound. My research on the acute toxicity of titanium dioxide nanofibers in the lungs of Sprague dawley rats is significant because it looks at the nanofiber form of TiO2. Rarely has TDNF been studied for its toxicity in the lungs and it is important to do so to prevent future hazards. This is why the toxicity of substances must be evaluated especially TiO2 and its ever growing presence in the world market. We expect to see some cytotoxicity and some genotoxicity in the cells from the two week exposure period. More specifically we will be looking for increased reactive oxygen species in the lung cells as well as look for reduced lung cell viability. For genotoxicity will expect to signs of DNA chain breaks and possible abnormal mitosis cells. Theoretical Frame work includes about 7-8months of work so far. This study is expected to finish within the timeframe of thesis tract