Introduction: Nanotechnology have recently drawn more attention from a variety of disciplines. One of the most often utilized nanoparticles worldwide is titanium dioxide nanoparticles because of their unique properties. Many consumer products commonly contain them as additives. Studies revealed that TiO2 NPs can aggregate in multiple tissues and cause oxidative stress. Gaining more knowledge about the toxicity of TiO2 NPs could improve risk assessment and safer nanomaterial applications. Considering the risk evaluation of consuming TiO2 NPs, the lingual mucosa is still ignored.
Objectives: To assess the effects of TiO2 NPs on rat's lingual mucosa.
Methodology: Fourteen adult albino rats, weighing (150–200 g) were used. Animals were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: group I (control group): 7 rats received olive oil by oral gavage daily for 3 weeks. Group II (TiO2 NPs group): 7 rats received olive oil daily then 300 mg/kg TiO2 NPs by oral gavage daily for 2 weeks. Both groups were euthanized at the end of the experiment after 3 weeks. Tongues were dissected and prepared for light microscopic analysis.
Results: Significant degenerative changes were observed in the lingual mucosa of the TiO2 NP group. These alterations included deformity of the tongue papillae and epithelial cells vacuolations. Body weight changes revealed that the group receiving TiO2 NPs experienced an insignificant rise in body weight.
Conclusion: The lingual mucosa of rats exhibited significant histological alterations in the filiform and fungiform papillae.
Keywords: Tongue, TiO2NPs, titanium, rats, oxidative stress
Running title: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles toxicity on rats' lingual mucosa.