Assessment of TiO2 nanoparticles accumulation in organs and their effect on cognitive abilities of mice

Abstract

Because of good optical and electrical properties, TiO2 nanoparticles are widely used in many fields of industry and medicine. To assess the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on mice cognitive abilities and their accumulation in different organs, daily, up to 2-month period, experimental mice were administrated with TiO2 nanoparticles solution. Accumulation of titanium in blood, brain, liver, kidney, lungs and feces was assessed by neutron activation analysis. Cognitive abilities in mice before and after TiO2 nanoparticles administration were evaluated in the Morris water maze behavioral test. The amount of titanium in all organs was below the limits of detection of the method and in feces it constituted 74 +/- 7 mu g/g. In the main Morris water maze behavioral test at the control points statistically significant differences were found in the parameters of treks between capable experimental and control animals.