ABSTRACT.
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the physico–chemical characteristics of iron oxide
nanoparticles (IONPs), namely the presence/absence of a polysaccharide shell, small size and crystal structure on the
clinical and antioxidant parameters of the blood of laboratory mice after prolonged oral administration.
Materials and methods. In this study we used the synthetic and biogenic iron nanoparticles, which are ferrihydrite. The experiment was conducted on 55 male mice, divided into 3 groups – 1 control group (standard feeding), group 2 – adding synthetic IONPs powder to the feed, group 3 – adding biogenic IONPs powder to the feed. Whole blood and serum samples were obtained on days 1, 22– and 36. Blood samples were analyzed on a hematology analyzer, and the activity of antioxidants (catalase) in serum samples was measured on a multimode microplate reader.
Results. Iron oxide nanoparticles obtained by synthetic and biological methods exhibit good hemocompatibility and do not cause critical disturbances in the homeostasis of the blood system upon oral administration. However, nanoparticles of biogenic origin coated with a polysaccharide shell by the 36th day cause a tendency to increase the number of red blood cells by 1.09 times (p<0.01), the average hemoglobin concentration to the volume of the red blood cell by 1.05 times (p<0.01), hematocrit (p<0.05) and hemoglobin by 1.1 times (p<0.001), as well as higher production of reactive oxygen species, as indicated by a 1.3-fold increase in light sum (S) and maximum luminescence intensity (Imax) (p< 0.05), which is probably due to their physico-chemical characteristics.
Conclusion. The synthesis method and the presence of a polysaccharide shell do not affect the hemocompatibility of iron oxide nanoparticles, however, they have an effect on a significant increase in ROS production in the body and the effectiveness of the antioxidant protection system. At the same time, ultrastructural physical characteristics of biogenic ferrihydrite can affect its interaction with hemoglobin, which can lead to an increase in the iron content in the red blood cell and the total volume of blood.
KEYWORDS: iron nanoparticles, hematological parameters, antioxidant system
For citation: Biryukova E.A., Kolenchukova O.A., Kireeva A.V. Effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on hematological and antioxidant parameters of laboratory mice. Trace elemets in medicine. 2025;26(3):37−44. DOI: 10.19112/2413-6174-2025-26-3-37-44
Information about the authors:
Elena A. Biryukova – Junior Researcher, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Pathology;
ORCID: 0000-0002-7650-0170; SPIN: 6602-9473
Oksana A. Kolenchukova – Dr.Sc. (Biol.), Associate Professor, Head of the Departmet of Epizootology, Microbiology,
Parasitology and Veterinary and Sanitary Expertise;
Senior Researcher, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Pathology;
ORCID: 0000-0001-9552-447X; SPIN: 8008-5580
Anna V. Kireeva – Ph.D. (Biol.), Senior Researcher, International Scientific Center
for Organism Extreme Conditions Research;
ORCID: 0000-0001-8134-0899; SPIN: 8542-3028
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no obvious and potential conflicts of interest related to the publication of this article.