A comparison of poly-ethylene-glycol-coated and uncoated gold nanoparticle-mediated hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: S Anitha Kumari
Paul B Tchounwou
Anita K Patlolla
Journal: International journal of nanomedicine (2019)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: hepatotoxicity; oxidative stress; polyethylene glycol coated gold nanoparticles; serum aminotransferases; uncoated gold nanoparticles.
Affiliations: NIH-RCMI Center for Environmental Health, College of Science Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA, ., Department of Biology, CSET, Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, 39217, USA, .

Abstract:  Background: Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and their functional derivatives are of great interest because of their many biomedical applications. GNPs are increasingly being incorporated into new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in medicine. Consequently, there has been a strong push to fully understand their interactions with blood components. The agglomeration of cells reflects the interaction of nanoparticles with blood components. Methods: The main aim of this study was to compare the effects of poly-ethylene-glycol (PEG)-oated and uncoated GNPs on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS); on the actions of distinct hepatotoxicity biomarkers such as alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferases, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP); and on the histology of liver tissues in the rat model. Four distinct doses of PEG-coated and uncoated GNPs (12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/kg body weight) were used. Each group consisted of three rats receiving an oral administration of PEG-coated and uncoated GNPs for 5 days with one dose per 24 hours. The control group consisted of three rats that received deionized water. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, samples were collected following standard procedures. Results: PEG-coated and uncoated GNPs enhanced the generation of ROS and the activity of serum aminotransferases (ALT/AST) and ALPs relative to the negative control. A liver histology assessment of GNP-exposed rats revealed statistically significant responses in the variation of the morphologies of tissues relative to those of the negative control. Nonetheless, uncoated GNPs demonstrated enhanced hepatotoxic outcomes relative to those of PEG-coated GNPs. The results demonstrated that both GNPs may be able to promote hepatotoxicity in Sprague Dawley rats through mechanisms of oxidative stress. However, uncoated GNPs have more harmful effects than PEG-coated GNPs relative to the negative control. Conclusion: Taken together, the results of this study indicate that PEG-coated GNPs may be safer to use in nanomedicinal applications than uncoated GNPs. However, more studies must be performed to confirm the outcomes of PEGylation. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 In Figure 8, images from two different rats appear to overlap. Marked roughly with green boxes. Contrast and dimensions appear different. *** ![file] , 
 **Corrigendum** https: www.dovepress.com corrigendum-of-poly-ethylene-glycol-coated-and-uncoated-gold-nano-peer-reviewed-article-IJN Patlolla AK, Kumari SA, Tchounwou PB. Int J Nanomedicine. 2019;14:639u2013647. An error was made in the uploading of the image used in Figure 8Be on page 645 and a replacement image has been provided. The new image shows a similar outcome as that previously described such as central vein damage (CVD), necrosis (NC), pyknotic cells and vacuolation in hepatocytes. However, the new image does not indicate hepatocytes or debris (arterial) inside the central vein as was observed in the original version of Figure 8Be. The authors and the Editor-in-Chief have confirmed the correction to Figure 8Be has no significant impact on the conclusions of the study. The authors wish to apologise for this error. ![file] ,