Introduction: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNPs) have a wide range of applications in industry, medicine and environmental technology. Nowadays, TNPs have raised researcher's concerns on their toxicity. Lycopene is a dietary carotenoid having a potent antioxidant effect.
Aim: To evaluate the effect of TNPs on the structure of renal cortex of rats and to assess the possible protective effect of lycopene against TNPs nephrotoxicity.
Material and methods: Forty five adult male rats were divided into four groups. Group I (the control group) included 20 rats, which were divided equally into 4 subgroups. Subgroup IA was the negative control, Subgroup IB given one ml corn oil by gastric tube, Subgroup IC given one ml distilled water intraperitoneally (i.p) and Subgroup ID given one ml corn oil by gastric tube and one ml distilled water (i.p). Group II included 5 rats received a daily dose of 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) of lycopene by gastric tube for 4 weeks. Group III included 10 rats injected with 150 mg/kg BW (i.p.) of TNPs daily for 4 weeks. Group IV included 10 rats received both TNPs and lycopene at the same aforementioned doses for 4 weeks. Kidney specimens were prepared and sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome. Immunohistochemical detection of desmin, anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 was done.
Results: Our results revealed that group II had similar findings nearly as group I. Group III showed congested dilated glomerular capillaries. The convoluted tubules showed exfoliation of some lining epithelial cells and degenerative changes. There were interstitial haemorrhage, mononuclear cell infiltration and increase in collagen fibers around degenerated convoluted tubules and glomeruli. A significant increase in desmin-expression in the glomerular cells was observed. Besides, there were significant increases of PCNA positive nuclear and caspase-3 cytoplasmic reactions in renal tubular cells. Group IV revealed amelioration of these changes.
Conclusion: Lycopene protected rat's renal cortex against TNPs nephrotoxicity.