Balancing Risks versus Benefits: Vitamin C Therapy versus Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Toxicity in Albino Rats' Submandibular Salivary Gland

Authors

Mohamed Shamel, Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, The British University in EgyptFollow
Safaa Baz, Lecturer, Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, The British University in EgyptFollow
Heba Mahmoud, Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, The British University in EgyptFollow
Salma Awad Taghyan, Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, The British University in EgyptFollow
Mahmoud M. Bakr, 5General Dental Practice, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, AustraliaFollow
Mahmoud Al Ankily, Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, The British University in EgyptFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 4-2024

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the suppressive effect of the natural antioxidant; vitamin C (VC) against submandibular gland toxicity induced by copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs).

Materials and Methods: Three groups of thirty male mature (four weeks old) albino rats, weighing between 150 and 200 grams, were randomly assigned for six weeks to receive: intraperitoneal injection (IP) of vehicle (Control group); IP of 2.5 mg/kg body weight (bw) of CuO-NPs (CuO-NPs group); and IP of 2.5 mg/kg bw of CuO-NPs, combined with a daily oral dose of 100 mg/kg bw of VC in drinking water via gavage (CuO-NPs / VC group). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry of Ki-67 and caspase 3 were used to examine the submandibular glands.

Statistical analysis: The area expression for the Ki-67 and caspase 3 was statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prism at p < 0.05 significance level. For multiple comparisons, Tukey's post-hoc was used after ANOVA analysis.

Results: CuO-NPs produced significant cytotoxic effects on the submandibular gland, with upregulated Ki-67 and caspase 3 immuno-expression when compared to the control one. Additionally, VC improved the glandular characteristics and downregulated Ki-67 and caspase 3 immunoexpression in the VC / CuO-NPs group in comparison to that in the group with CuO-NPs alone.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that CuO-NPs produced cytotoxic effects on the submandibular salivary gland of Albino rats. VC was effective in decreasing the CuO-NPs’ toxicity. Thereby, it could be recommended as a potent natural antioxidant.

Recommended Citation

Shamel, Mohamed, et al. "Balancing Risks versus Benefits: Vitamin C Therapy versus Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Toxicity in Albino Rats' Submandibular Salivary Gland." European Journal of Dentistry (2024).