Abstract
Toxicity of oxides nanoparticles (NPs) of some metals was studied in outbred female rats under isolated and combined action of (NiO + Mn3O4; CuO + PbO; CuO + ZnO; PbO + ZnO; PbO + CuO + ZnO) using two experimental models: ( a) a single intratracheal instillation in small doses 24 hours prior to the bronchoalveolar lavage procedure in cytology and biochemical investigations into the fluid produced; (b) repeated intraperitoneal injections at non-lethal dosage over 6 weeks to evaluate that sub-chronic intoxication produced using a great number of functional morphometric parameters and indicators of bio-distribution and elimination of the respective metals. Combination effects were described by various mathematical models including the construction of response surface. A variety of combined toxicity types was demonstrated for the same pair of NPs according to what concrete effect the toxicity was assessed and frequently also according to dose-dependent level of that effect. It was also shown that the risk-oriented approach to the classification of three-factor toxicity, previously developed for the combined action of metals in ion-molecular form, was adequate for NPs investigated,