In Vivo Toxicity of Oral Administrated Nano-SiO 2 : Can Food Additives Increase Apoptosis?

Nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO 2 ) has a great deal of application in food packaging, as antibacterial food additives, and in drug delivery systems but this nanoparticle, despite its wide range of utilizations, can generate destructive effects on organs such as the liver, kidney, and lungs. This study is aimed at investigating the toxicological effects of nano-SiO 2 through apoptotic factors. For this purpose, 40 female rats in 4 groups ( n = 10) received 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg/day of nano-SiO 2 at 20–30 nm size orally for 20 days. Relative expression of Caspase3, Bcl-2, and BAX genes in kidney and liver was evaluated in real time-PCR. The results indicated the overexpression of BAX and Caspase3 genes in the liver and kidney in groups receiving 300 and 900 mg/kg/day of nano-SiO 2 . Bcl-2 gene was up-regulated in the liver and kidney at 600 mg/kg/day compared to the control group. Overexpression of the Bcl-2 gene in the kidney in 300 and 900 mg/kg/day recipient groups was observed ( P ≤ 0.05). Histopathological examination demonstrated 600 mg/kg/day hyperemia in the kidney and lungs. In addition, at 900 mg/kg/day were distinguished scattered necrosis and hyperemia in the liver. The rate of epithelialization in the lungs increased. The nano-SiO 2 at 300 and 900 mg/kg/day can induce more cytotoxicity in the liver and lung after oral exposure. However, cytotoxicity of nano-SiO 2 at 600 mg/kg/day in the kidney and lung was noticed. Hence, the using of nano-SiO 2 as an additive and food packaging should be more considered due to their deleterious effects. Graphical Abstract