Role of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles in a Paraquat-Induced Model of Oxidative Stress: Emergence of Neuroprotective Results in the Brain

Paraquat (PQ), as a widely used herbicide, enhances the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) are one of the most utilized and effective nanoparticles having strong antioxidative properties and inhibiting free radicals. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of CeNPs on brain oxidative toxic stress injury induced with PQ. The male rats were treated intraperitoneally daily with PQ (50mg/kg/day) and CeNPs (15, 30, and 60mg/kg/day) alone or in combination for 2weeks. After treatments, the brain tissue samples were collected. Oxidative toxic stress biomarkers including lipid peroxidation (LPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total thiol molecules (TTM) as well as DNA damage and caspase-3 levels were measured. Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of Nestin and Neurod1 were assayed. Our results showed that PQ has significantly increased brain LPO, DNA damage, and caspase-3 levels and further reduced TAC and TTM contents, as well as expression levels of Nestin and Neurod1, compared with the control group (injection of saline). CeNPs (15- and 30-mg/kg doses) in groups co-administered with PQ significantly ameliorated the LPO, DNA damage, and caspase-3 levels while increasing TAC and TTM contents as well as enhancing Nestin and Neurod1 mRNA expression levels in the brain samples (P<0.05). These findings suggest a neuroprotective and antioxidant role for CeNPs in PQ-induced brain injury. However, further studies are required to clarify its clinical/pharmacological significance.