Silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles alter oxidative/inflammatory response and renin-angiotensin system in brain

The study was designed to examine the effects of silver AgNPs, 20 nm) and titanium dioxide (Aeroxide® P25 TiO2NPs, 21 nm) nanoparticles on brain oxidative stress parameters, its antioxidant potential and brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in vivo. The analysis was performed 28 days after single dose injection of TiO2NPs and AgNPs (10 or 5 mg/kg body weight, respectively). The AgNPs, but not TiO2NPs, administration resulted in decreased lipid and cholesterol peroxidation. Antioxidant enzymes gene expression and/or activity were changed differently for TiO2NPs and AgNPs group. The TiO2NPs decreased aromatase gene expression, and glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities. In AgNPs group the sodium dismutase 1 and glutathione reductase mRNA levels were decreased as opposed to their activities. Both NPs altered the expression of brain RAS genes (angiotensinogen, renin, angiotensin I converting enzyme 1 and 2), but only TiO2NPs caused similar changes on protein level. The expression of amyloid beta precursor protein gene was not altered by any kind of injected NPs. The TiO2NPs were more potent modulator of gene expression in the brain than AgNPs, despite the two times lower dosage. These results suggest that AgNPs and TiO2NPs exposure may modulate the brain function, but with different strength.