Evaluation of Maternal Toxicity in Rats Exposed to Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes during Pregnancy.
- Author:
Jeong Hyeon LIM
1
;
Sung Hwan KIM
;
In Chul LEE
;
Changjong MOON
;
Sung Ho KIM
;
Dong Ho SHIN
;
Hyoung Chin KIM
;
Jong Choon KIM
Author Information
1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea. toxkim@jnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Carbon nanotubes;
Pregnancy;
Maternal toxicity;
Oxidative stress;
Serum biochemistry
- MeSH:
Animals;
Biochemistry;
Body Weight;
Carbon;
Cesarean Section;
Embryonic Development;
Female;
Kidney;
Maternal Exposure;
Nanotubes, Carbon;
No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level;
Organ Size;
Oxidative Stress;
Pregnancy;
Rats;
Thymus Gland;
Weights and Measures
- From:Environmental Health and Toxicology
2011;26(1):e2011006-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated the potential adverse effects of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on pregnant dams and embryonic development following maternal exposure in rats. METHODS: MWCNTs were orally administered to pregnant rats from gestational day (GD) 6 through 19 at dose levels of 0, 8, 40, 200, and 1000 mg/kg/day. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food consumption, serum biochemistry, oxidant-antioxidant status, gross findings, organ weights, and Caesarean section findings were examined. RESULTS: All animals survived to the end of the study. A decrease in thymus weight was observed in the highest dose group. However, maternal body weight, food consumption, serum biochemical parameters, and oxidant-antioxidant balance in the kidneys were not affected by treatment with MWCNTs. No treatment-related differences in gestational index, embryo-fetal mortality, or fetal and placental weights were observed between treated and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that 14-day repeated oral dosing of MWCNTs during pregnancy induces minimal maternal toxicity at 1000 mg/kg/day in rats. Under these experimental conditions, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of MWCNTs is considered to be 200 mg/kg/day for dams and 1000 mg/kg/day for embryonic development.
