The Protective Effects of Vitamins A and E on Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (nTiO2)-Induced Oxidative Stress in the Spleen Tissues of Male Wistar Rats

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nTiO2) can accumulate in different tissues and damage them with oxidative stress induction. Different components with antioxidant capacity can protect the tissues. So in this study, the protective effects of vitamin A and E on the nTiO2-induced oxidative stress in rats' spleen tissues were examined. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: Control 1 (received water), nTiO2, nTiO2 + vitamin E, nTiO2 + vitamin A, nTiO2 + vitamin A and E, and Control 2 (received olive oil). To investigate the status of oxidative stress, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were determined in spleen tissue as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Also, the gene expression of GPx, SOD, and nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) were determined by qRT-PCR. To evaluate the spleen histopathological changes, H&E staining was carried out. nTiO2 significantly increased TOS and LPO levels, whereas it decreased TAC level, GPx and SOD activities, and gene expression of GPx, SOD, and Nrf-2 in spleen tissues of rats compared with controls (p < 0.05). In vitamin-treated rats, the levels of TOS and LPO significantly decreased, and the level of TAC, the activities of GPx and SOD, and the gene expression of GPx, SOD, and Nrf-2 increased compared to nTiO2 group (p < 0.05). These parameters are maintained near to normal levels. Histological findings confirmed the protective effects of these vitamins on tissue damage caused by nTiO2. Vitamin A and E can protect the spleen tissues from nTiO2-induced oxidative stress.