College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China; National Ethnic Affairs Commission Key Open Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Tongren Polytechnic College, Tongren, 554300, China.
College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130, China.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2020 Dec 15;206:111206. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111206. Epub 2020 Sep 2.
Copper nanoparticles (Cu NPs) are increasingly used as an animal feed additive in China. In previous studies, it was determined that Cu NPs can penetrate the placental barrier, however, its toxic effects on the fetus have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the potential fetal toxic effects of Cu NPs. Cu NPs were orally administered to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats from gestation days (GDs) 3-18 at a dose of 60, 120, and 180 mg/kg/day. Cesarean sections were conducted on GD 19. During fetal examination, no toxicities were observed regarding general clinical signs, however, Cu NPs significantly decreased fetal body weight, body length, and liver weights. Cu ions and Cu MPs exhibited similar effects on the fetal development. Cu NPs increased the liver concentration of Cu, and decreased protein levels and Fe in fetuses. Cu NPs also increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the fetus after pregnant rats were exposed to high doses of Cu NPs. Oral exposure to Cu NPs during pregnancy increased Cu concentrations in the fetus, which not only affected fetal development, but also significantly induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in fetal liver. Taken together, these findings are valuable to evaluate fetal risk assessment after oral exposure of Cu NPs during pregnancy. Additional comprehensive toxicity studies are deemed necessary to clarify the underlying mechanisms involved.
铜纳米粒子（Cu NPs）作为一种动物饲料添加剂在中国的使用越来越广泛。在以前的研究中已经确定 Cu NPs 可以穿透胎盘屏障，然而，其对胎儿的毒性作用尚未阐明。因此，在本研究中，我们研究了 Cu NPs 对胎儿的潜在毒性作用。从妊娠第 3 天到第 18 天，Cu NPs 以 60、120 和 180mg/kg/天的剂量经口给予妊娠 Sprague-Dawley 大鼠。在 GD 19 进行剖腹产。在胎儿检查期间，一般临床体征没有观察到毒性，然而，Cu NPs 显著降低了胎儿体重、体长和肝脏重量。Cu 离子和 Cu MPs 对胎儿发育表现出相似的影响。Cu NPs 增加了肝脏中的 Cu 浓度，并降低了胎儿中的蛋白质水平和 Fe。Cu NPs 还增加了暴露于高剂量 Cu NPs 的孕鼠胎儿中的氧化应激和炎症。妊娠期间经口暴露于 Cu NPs 会增加胎儿中的 Cu 浓度，这不仅影响胎儿发育，还显著诱导胎儿肝脏中的氧化应激和炎症反应。总之，这些发现对于评估妊娠期间经口暴露于 Cu NPs 后的胎儿风险评估具有重要意义。需要进行额外的全面毒性研究，以阐明相关的潜在机制。
