Volume 17, Issue 2 (March & April- In press 2026)
BCN 2026, 17(2): 0-0 |
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Nazari M, Shabani R, Akhavan Tavakoli M, Marzban A, Eghbali S, Mehdizadeh R, et al . Neurotoxicity of Alginate-Coated Silver Nanostructures in the Mouse Cerebellum: Acute and Chronic Effects. BCN 2026; 17 (2)
URL: http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3368-en.html
URL: http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/article-1-3368-en.html
Mahsa Nazari1 
, Ronak Shabani2 , Maryam Akhavan Tavakoli3 , Asghar Marzban4 , Sahar Eghbali5 , Rana Mehdizadeh6 , Sahar Hakimpour7 , Mehdi Mehdizadeh *2
, Ronak Shabani2 , Maryam Akhavan Tavakoli3 , Asghar Marzban4 , Sahar Eghbali5 , Rana Mehdizadeh6 , Sahar Hakimpour7 , Mehdi Mehdizadeh *2
1- Department of Anatomy and Pathology, School of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
2- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Anatomical Sciences; Cognitive Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan 4513956111, Iran
5- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
6- School of Dentistry, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
7- Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
2- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3- Department of Anatomical Sciences; Cognitive Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan 4513956111, Iran
5- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
6- School of Dentistry, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
7- Department of Physiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract:
Introduction: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been shown to cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and induce neurotoxicity. In light of the widespread application of silver nanoparticles in industrial and medical fields, this study aims to investigate the cerebellar toxicity of a newly developed silver nanostructure (alginate-coated silver nanostructures (Ag-NS)), focusing on their physicochemical characteristics and biological impact following acute and chronic exposure. Methods: Au@Ag core–shell nanorods were synthesized and characterized. Forty male mice were randomly divided into five groups: a control group, two sham groups (administered alginate solution at 1.5 mg/kg/day for 14 and 35 days), and two treatment groups (administered Ag-NS at the same dose and durations). Cerebellar tissue was collected and analyzed for DNA fragmentation using the TUNEL assay. Gene expression levels of apoptotic (Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3) and autophagy-related markers (LC3, Beclin-1) were quantified using real-time PCR. Neuronal morphology was assessed via cresyl violet staining.
Results: HR-TEM analysis confirmed the nanostructures were uniform, rod-shaped particles averaging ~60 nm in length. TUNEL staining revealed significantly increased DNA fragmentation in Ag-NS-treated groups. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of apoptotic markers and downregulation of autophagy-related genes. Histological examination revealed a marked increase in degenerated Purkinje cells (dark cells) in the treatment groups.
Conclusion: Exposure to alginate-coated Au@Ag nanorods induced significant cerebellar toxicity, particularly following chronic treatment, as evidenced by enhanced apoptosis and suppressed autophagy. These findings underscore the need for further studies to assess the safety of such nanostructures and optimize their design to minimize neurotoxic effects.
Results: HR-TEM analysis confirmed the nanostructures were uniform, rod-shaped particles averaging ~60 nm in length. TUNEL staining revealed significantly increased DNA fragmentation in Ag-NS-treated groups. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of apoptotic markers and downregulation of autophagy-related genes. Histological examination revealed a marked increase in degenerated Purkinje cells (dark cells) in the treatment groups.
Conclusion: Exposure to alginate-coated Au@Ag nanorods induced significant cerebellar toxicity, particularly following chronic treatment, as evidenced by enhanced apoptosis and suppressed autophagy. These findings underscore the need for further studies to assess the safety of such nanostructures and optimize their design to minimize neurotoxic effects.
Type of Study: Original |
Subject:
Cellular and molecular Neuroscience
Received: 2025/09/30 | Accepted: 2026/02/8 | Published: 2026/05/9
Received: 2025/09/30 | Accepted: 2026/02/8 | Published: 2026/05/9
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