Figure 6.

(A) Effect of AgNP on the 8-OHdG percentage (ratios of the AgNP exposure group to the FA exposure group; Ag/FA) in the control and allergic mice determined over 7 successive exposure days; comparisons between AgNP/FA in the control and allergic mice with respect to the 8-OHdG excretion ratio (ng/hour/kg) determined on the last day of exposure. (B) AgNP excretion in the urine and feces over the 7 successive days of exposure in the control and allergic mice. (C) Ag distribution in the brain, lungs, heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys after AgNP exposure. (D) Photomicrographs (200×) of hematoxylin and eosin staining of the brain, lungs, heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys from the control and allergic mice after AgNP/FA exposure and OVA challenge. Significant histological changes were not observed in the peri-brain or peri-lung. Focal dystrophic calcification was observed in the pericardium in the allergic mice exposed to AgNP/FA. Fibrosis with inflammation and dystrophic calcification were observed in the capsule of the liver and spleen of the control mice exposed to AgNP and the allergic mice exposed to AgNP/FA. These mice also demonstrated focal and mild inflammation in the perirenal soft tissue (bottom-right, 20× for allergic mice).

Notes: Values are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation; n=5–6; ^#P<0.001; **P<0.01; *P<0.05.

Abbreviations: 8-OHdG, urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine; A antigen; Ag, silver; AgNP, silver nanoparticles; C, control; FA, filtered air; OVA ovalbumin.