Feyza KELLECI ÇELIK, Betül SARI, Mohammad CHAREHSAZ, Hande SIPAHI, Mustafa ÇULHA, Ahmet AYDIN
Journal of Research in Pharmacy - 2026;30(2):614-628
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used in biomedical applications. Due to data gap for safety of them, this research aimed to evaluate both AuNPs and oligonucleotide coated AuNPs (O-AuNPs) at 100, 500, and 2500 µg/kg doses in rats. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized by Ultraviolet/Visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The hydrodynamic diameter of the particles was about 13 nm and showed a characteristic peak a round 520 nm in the UV/Vis spectrum. AuNPs coated with oligonucleotide were analyzed by UV/Vis and DLS. No UV/Vis peak shift was observed after coating, only a decreased optical density. DLS measurements detected an increase of about 2 nm in hydrodynamic diameter. Oxidative stress parameters, cytokines, 3-Nitrotyrosine, and metallothionein levels were also measured. There were significant changes in catalase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde in erythrocyte, liver, kidney, and brain tissues of rats. Liver metallothionein decr eased in the lowest dose AuNPs, lowest and mid-dose O-AuNPs. As a result, AuNPs seem to have some adverse effects on oxidative stress parameters. Further researches are needed to elucidate the safety of AuNPs and O-AuNPs.
