Exposure to Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Coated with Phospholipid-Based Polymeric Micelles Induces Renal Transitory Biochemical and Histopathological Changes in Mice

The renal toxicity induced by the intravenously injected iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) encapsulated in phospholipid-based polymeric micelles was studied in CD1 mice for 2 weeks. Two doses of 5 and 15 mg of Fe/kg bodyweight of NPs or saline solution (control) were tested, and the levels of antioxidant enzyme activities, oxidative stress parameters, and the expressions of kidney fibrosis biomarkers were analyzed. The enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the kidney were significantly decreased compared to the control in the first 3 days followed by a recovery up to 14 days. Concomitantly, a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) levels and a decrease in protein thiol groups were recorded. Moreover, increases in the expressions of T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1 (TIM-1) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) were observed in mouse tissue samples in the first week, which were more pronounced for the higher dose. The results suggested the role of oxidative stress as a mechanism for induced toxicity in mice kidneys after the IV administration of IONPs encapsulated in phospholipid-based polymeric micelles but also the capacity of the kidneys’ defense systems to revert efficiently the biochemical modifications that were moderate and for short duration.