Introduction: Many potential applications of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), which include diagnostics, antimicrobial agents, and cancer therapy, have made them a popular subject of study in recent years. Despite their importance and widespread use, they may cause environmental and human toxicity.
Aim of the Work: To assess outcomes of different Ag NPs doses on adult female albino rat's lung and cardiac muscle histologically and immunohistochemically.
Materials and Methods: 30 adult female albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control (group I), group II received 30 mg/kg Ag NPs, and group III received 300 mg/kg. Groups II and III received Ag NPs orally daily for two weeks. Lung and cardiac muscle specimens were histologically and immunohistochemically processed. Studies employing morphometry and statistics were conducted as well.
Results: Lung specimens from Ag NPs treated animals showed collapse of some alveoli, emphysematous dilatation to others and thickening of the interalveolar septa. Collagen fibers were deposited. Congested blood vessels, hemorrhage areas, and inflammatory cells were seen. Immunohistochemical results showed an increase in the cytoplasmic reaction for CD-68. Cardiac muscle specimens showed extravasated RBCs and congested blood vessels. Inflammatory cellular infiltration and vacuolation of cardiac muscle fibers were noticed. Cardiac muscle fibers exhibited interruption with wide spaces and deposition of collagen fibers between them. Cleaved caspase 3 optical density in cardiomyocytes increased significantly. Group III experienced all these changes to a greater degree than group II.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that subjection to Ag NPs may cause cardiac and pulmonary histological and immunohistochemical alterations which may affect the function of these vital organs.