Reduction of Locomotor and Brain Activity of Wistar Rats after Serial Administration of Titanium Dioxide

Abstract

Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) are widely used nanomaterial with particle size below 100 nanometers TiO2 is applied as a pigment to provide whiteness to such products as paints, paper, foodstuffs, medicines, toothpastes, etc. However, neurotropic properties of titanium dioxide remains unclear. This work aimed evaluation of neurotoxic effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (12 nm particle size) serially administered to Wistar rats in dose of 250 mg/kg for 7 days. Behavioral and physiological observations were registered immediately after treatment. Results showed that nanoTiO2 particles caused reducing of general motor activity in rats and a shift of the electroencephalogram (EEG) power toward low frequencies of (EEG), while aggressive behavior, and open field behavior did not change. The depressive effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the central nervous system (CNS) observed in our study might be related to neuronal damage caused by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as the impairment of synaptic transmission.