Superparamagnetic iron oxide polyacrylic acid coated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles do not affect kidney function but cause acute effect on the cardiovascular function in healthy mice

This study describes the distribution of intravenously injected polyacrylic acid (PAA) coated γ-Fe2O3 NPs (10 mg kg− 1) at the organ, cellular and subcellular levels in healthy BALB/cJ mice and in parallel addresses the effects of NP injection on kidney function, blood pressure and vascular contractility. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed accumulation of NPs in the liver within 1 h after intravenous infusion, accommodated by intracellular uptake in endothelial and Kupffer cells with subsequent intracellular uptake in renal cells, particularly the cytoplasm of the proximal tubule, in podocytes and mesangial cells. The renofunctional effects of NPs were evaluated by arterial acid–base status and measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) after instrumentation with chronically indwelling catheters. Arterial pH was 7.46 ± 0.02 and 7.41 ± 0.02 in mice 0.5 h after injections of saline or NP, and did not change over the next 12 h. In addition, the injections of NP did not affect arterial PCO2 or [HCO3−] either. Twenty-four and 96 h after NP injections, the GFR averaged 0.35 ± 0.04 and 0.35 ± 0.01 ml min− 1 g− 1, respectively, values which were statistically comparable with controls (0.29 ± 0.02 and 0.33 ± 0.1 ml–1 min–1 25 g–1). Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) decreased 12–24 h after NP injections (111.1 ± 11.5 vs 123.0 ± 6.1 min− 1) associated with a decreased contractility of small mesenteric arteries revealed by myography to characterize endothelial function. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that accumulation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles does not affect kidney function in healthy mice but temporarily decreases blood pressure.

► PAA coated γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were injected intravenously into healthy mice.
► We examine the distribution and physiological effects of nanoparticle accumulation.
► No effects of accumulation in kidney on acid-base status or GFR.
► Acute hypotension associated with decreased contractility of small vessels.
► We demonstrate physiological effects of PAA γ-Fe2O3 NP for medical purposes.