Amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are being utilized in different fields such as medicine, cosmetics, and foods. However, the causes and mechanisms underlying SiNP testicular damage remain largely unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate this issue. Thirty male rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 10), 500 ppm SiNP-treated group (n = 10), and 1000 ppm SiNP-treated group (n = 10). SiNPs were given orally in drinking water for 30 days. Micronucleus assay was performed on blood RBCs. The concentrations of testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activity were measured. Moreover, the histopathological alterations and the expression of apoptotic (caspase-3) and pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers (iNOS) in testes and epididymis were analyzed and compared between the three groups. The results showed an increased level of micronucleus frequencies in the 1000 ppm-treated group, as well as increased levels of MDA and decreased activity of CAT and GSH content in testicular tissues in the 1000 ppm-treated group, suggesting DNA damage and oxidative stress mechanisms. Also, there were significant testicular histopathological alterations in this group. Furthermore, 1000-ppm SiNPs could enhance testicular apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress by increasing the expression of apoptotic, pro-inflammatory, and oxidative stress genes including caspase 3 and iNOS in the examined tissue. The lower concentration of SiNPs did not produce any significant biochemical, histopathological, or immunohistochemical alterations whereas 1000-ppm SiNPs resulted in significant testicular changes by exacerbating apoptotic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress-mediated testicular damage.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most common nanomaterials in consumer products. Therefore, it has been crucial to control AgNPs toxicological effects to improve their safety and increase the outcome of their applications. This work investigated the possible protective effect of thymoquinone (TQ) against AgNPs-induced hepatic and renal cytotoxicity in rats. Serum markers of liver and kidney functions as well as liver and kidney oxidative stress status, pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis markers, and histopathology were assessed. TQ reversed AgNPs-induced elevation in serum liver and kidney function markers, including aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, urea, and creatinine. Moreover, TQ co-administration with AgNPs alleviates hepatic and renal oxidative insults by decreasing MDA and NO levels with a significant increase in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione recycling enzymes peroxidase and reductase) compared to AgNPs-treated rats. Besides, TQ upregulated hepatic and renal Nrf2 gene expression in AgNPs-intoxicated rats. Furthermore, TQ co-administration decreased the hepatic and renal pro-inflammatory mediators represented by IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β, and NF-κB levels. Besides, TQ co-administration decreased apoptotic protein (Bax) levels and increased the anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) levels. These findings were confirmed by the histopathological examination of hepatic and renal tissues. Our data affirmed the protective effect of TQ against AgNPs cytotoxicity and proposed a possible mechanism of TQ antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Consequently, we could conclude that using TQ might control AgNPs toxicological effects, improve their safety, and increase the outcome of their applications.

The efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was tested in vitro against three different fish viruses, causing significant economic damage in aquaculture. These viruses were the spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV), European catfish virus (ECV), and Ictalurid herpesvirus 2 (IcHV-2). The safe concentration of AgNPs that did not cause cytotoxic effects in EPC cells proved to be 25 ng/mL. This dose of AgNPs decreased significantly (5-330×) the viral load of all three viruses in three different types of treatments (virus pre-treatment, cell pre-treatment, and cell post-treatment with the AgNPs). In a higher concentration, the AgNPs proved to be efficient against ECV and IcHV-2 even in a delayed post-cell-treatment experiment (AgNP treatment was applied 24 h after the virus inoculation). These first in vitro results against three devastating fish viruses are encouraging to continue the study of the applicability of AgNPs in aquaculture in the future.

The efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was tested in vitro against three different fish viruses, causing significant economic damage in aquaculture. These viruses were the spring viraemia of carp virus (SVCV), European catfish virus (ECV), and Ictalurid herpesvirus 2 (IcHV-2). The safe concentration of AgNPs that did not cause cytotoxic effects in EPC cells proved to be 25 ng/mL. This dose of AgNPs decreased significantly (5-330×) the viral load of all three viruses in three different types of treatments (virus pre-treatment, cell pre-treatment, and cell post-treatment with the AgNPs). In a higher concentration, the AgNPs proved to be efficient against ECV and IcHV-2 even in a delayed post-cell-treatment experiment (AgNP treatment was applied 24 h after the virus inoculation). These first in vitro results against three devastating fish viruses are encouraging to continue the study of the applicability of AgNPs in aquaculture in the future.