Ceria Nanozymes with Preferential Renal Uptake for Acute Kidney Injury Alleviation

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is closely related to abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS). Owing to the multi-enzymatic activity and broad-spectrum ROS scavenging capacity of ceria nanoparticles (ceria NPs), herein, we report ultrasmall citric acid modified ceria nanozymes (3-4 nm) as antioxidants to alleviate rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI through removing excessive ROS. The as-prepared ceria NPs exhibited multi-enzymatic properties such as peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, offering efficient protection of renal cells against H₂O₂ stimulation <i>in vitro</i>. Moreover, due to their ultrasmall size, ceria NPs could efficiently accumulate in the kidneys, thus protecting renal cells against ROS <i>in vivo</i>. Our results present ultrasmall ceria nanozymes as antioxidants for rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI alleviation, which shows great potential in clinic.