Evaluation of acute toxicity and effects of sub-acute concentrations of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) on hematology, selected enzymes and histopathology of liver and kidney in Mus musculus

Industrial use of nanoparticles and their accumulation during the recent decade have created an urgent need to assess their environmental implications. The current study deals with the evaluation of acute toxicity of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) in the albino mice (Mus musculus). Lethal dose of these nanoparticles in albino mice injected via intravenous route were found to be 550 mg/kg body weight (BW). Exposure of the albino mice to sub-lethal concentrations of these nanoparticles resulted in altered hematological parameters such as a significant increase in white blood cells (WBCs), a significant decrease in red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb) and platelets count. NPs significantly elevated the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea and creatinine. Histopathological examination of liver and kidney showed that sub-lethal doses of CuO-NPs, in liver, led to rupture of hepatocytes, dilation of sinusoid space, hemorrhaging in hepatic tissues, and congestion of the central vein with red blood cells leading towards ultimate rupture. On the other hand, the kidney showed ruptured renal capsule, loss of urinary space, swelling in glomerulus, degeneration in podocysts, and cytoplasmic vacuolization