Influência das nanopartículas de óxido de grafeno sobre parâmetros gastrintestinais de ratas prenhes

Abstract

Graphene oxide (OG) is a nanoparticle that has been extensively studied today for its excellent properties and a variety of functional groups that allow them to be applied in several areas, and this is formed from carbon atoms having between 1 to 100 nm. However, its small size allows it to cross biological membranes through different exposure routes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, with this the population and especially pregnant women are vulnerable to the appearance of any adverse effects that may affect biological systems. The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is an important biological system during pregnancy, requiring a greater demand for nutrients, and any pathophysiological alteration it has, can alter its functions. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of graphene oxide nanoparticles on oral intake and gastrointestinal transit of pregnant Wistar rats. For the experiment, 21 female rats were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups: control group receiving water and groups treated with graphene oxide receiving fixed doses of 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg via gavage daily during the 21 days of pregnancy for assessment of body weight (g), water consumption (ml) and food consumption (g). The measurements of gastrointestinal parameters were performed on the 7th day of pregnancy, using Alternating Current Biosusceptometry (ACB), as a biomagnetic method that records the displacement of the magnetic material along the segments every 15 minutes for 6 hours. The signals in the form of a numerical matrix were analyzed in the Origin® program, with the following parameters being quantified: mean gastric emptying time (MGET); mean cecum arrival time (MCAT) and mean small intestine transit time (MSITT). The results were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and the data analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by the Tukey test. There were significant increased values of MGET (accelerated gastric emptying) and a reduction in water consumption in the group treated with a 5.0 mg dose of OG. Meanwhile, MCAT and MSITT values, food consumption and body weight did not show significative changes. Thus, it was concluded that the treatment carried out with OG in the dose of 5.0 mg caused adverse effects on gastrointestinal transit during pregnancy, also changing water consumption. Studies like this, highlight the importance of clarifying research on the use of nanoparticles to better understand the adverse effects and how they behave along the GIT and especially during pregnancy.