OBJECTIVE1H magnetic resonance (1H MR) spectroscopic technique in combination with pattern recognition technique were applied to analyze toxic effects of rats which were intratracheally instilled with titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) as well as to detect the target organs and biomarkers associated with the toxic effects.

METHODSTwenty-four SD male rats were divided into 4 groups randomly which were high dose group (40 mg/kg nano-TiO2), moderate dose group (4 mg/kg nano-TiO2), low dose group (0.4 mg/kg nano-TiO2) and control group (0.9% NaCl solution) respectively, there were six rats per group. All rats were exposed to the object by single intratracheally instilling at a volume of 0.1 ml/100 g. After one week observation, 1H MR spectra of plasma were measured and analyzed by principal component analysis. Histopathologic examination for tissues such as heart, lung, liver, and kidney were performed simultaneously.

RESULTSThe relative content of lactate [(37.86+/-2.58)x10(-3)], citrate [(2.21+/-0.45)x10(-3)], choline [(7.74+/-0.76)x10(-3)] and creatine [(4.17+/-1.15)x10(-3)] in high dose group were significantly decreased as compared with those [(52.07+/-5.12)x10(-3), (3.01+/-0.21)x10(-3), (9.28+/-0.78)x10(-3), (8.59+/-2.64)x10(-3)] in control group (t values were -6.024, -3.177, -3.374, -4.215 respectively, P<0.05), however the relative content of glucose [(19.41+/-1.72)x10(-3)] was significantly increased compared with that [(14.45+/-2.45)x10(-3)] in control group (t value was 2.802, P<0.05). The relative content of lactate [(44.39+/-5.09)x10(-3)] and creatine [(3.67+/-0.76)x10(-3)] in moderate group was significantly decreased compared with those [(52.07+/-5.12)x10(-3), (8.59+/-2.64)x10(-3)] in control group (t values were -3.254, -4.694 respectively, P<0.05). The relative content of pyruvate [(3.84+/-0.70)x10(-3)] was significantly increased in low dose group as compared with that [(3.13+/-0.46)x10(-3)] in control group (t value was 2.787, P<0.05), however the relative content of creatine [(8.10+/-0.72)x10(-3)] was significantly decreased compared with that [(9.28+/-0.78)x10(-3)] in control group (t value was -2.602, P<0.05). No significant difference was found between other experimental groups and control group. No visible damage was found in histopathologic examination.

CONCLUSIONLung, liver, kidney and heart were the target organs of rats which were intratracheally instilling titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Lactate, pyruvate, glucose, citrate, choline and creatine can be presumed as the biomarkers when searching the target organs of the toxic effects.