Assessment of the potential cerebellar toxicity of gold nanoparticles on the structure and function of adult male albino rats

Background: The regular use of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) may increase the likelihood of human exposure to these nanoparticles (NPs) and raises concerns about toxicity. Aim: This study investigated the short-term impact of exposure to Au-NPs on inducing cerebellar pathology in rats, and whether the dose or duration of exposure was more important. Methodology: The study used two concentrations of Au-NPs (25 and 50 particles per million) and 18 rats were randomly assigned to three groups. Assessments of the animals were done via behavioral, gene expression, histological, and immunohistochemistry analyses. Results: Both concentrations of Au-NPs caused cerebellar pathology, as assessed through the investigation test battery. The Au-NPs50 group displayed more injury and decreased mobility compared with the control and the Au-NPs25 group. The Au-NPs25 group showed an increase in supported rearing and significant up-regulation of the Rgc32 gene compared with the control. The Trkb gene was insignificantly up-regulated in both Au-NPs groups compared with the control. Conclusion: The study indicates that exposure to Au-NPs can cause cerebellar pathology in rats and that the toxicity is more dependent on dose than the duration of exposure. These findings have significant implications for the safe use of Au-NPs in various applications.