ACUTE TOXICITY OF DIFFERENT SIZES OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES INTRAPERITONALLY INJECTED IN BALB/C MICE USING TWO TOXICOLOGICAL METHODS

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of intraperitoneally administrated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with different particle sizes in BALB/c mice. Methods: Citrate-capped AgNPs were prepared by citrate reduction method and isolated into small particles (average size 20 nm) and large particles (average size 50 nm). The median lethal dose (LD 50 ) of 20 nm and 50 nm AgNPs was estimated using two toxicological methods, classical Dixon's up-and-down method and AOT425statPgm method for up-and-down procedure. Results: The LD 50 was evaluated at the dosage level of 169 and 213.8 mg/kg, respectively for 20 nm AgNPs and at the dosage level of 354 and 391.5 mg/kg, respectively for 50 nm AgNPs. The results showed that LD 50 obtained by the AOT425statPgm method was in accord with that of the Dixon's method and no significant differences between them ( P = 0.06). The size 20 nm AgNPs were more toxic than the size 50 nm AgNPs. The behavioural responses and deviations were dose dependent, increasing by increasing the dose. The anatomical examinations showed that AgNPs were mainly accumulated in liver and spleen of dosed mice. Conclusion: The results suggested that the AOT425statPgm method was an efficient tool and a good alternative method for use in future acute toxicity studies.