The purpose of this study is to evaluate the probable roles of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) at a dose level of 5 mg or 10 mg/kg as antitumor in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) animal model. HCC was induced in rats by using diethylnitrosamine and carbon tetrachloride. The treatment of HCC rats with ZnO-NPs alleviated the significant increase in cancer markers, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), glypican-3 (GPC3), and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). The treatment of HCC rats with ZnO-NPs relieved the increase in liver enzymes and histopathological changes. Also, ZnO-NPs lessened the increase in the inflammatory markers. Moreover, the treatment of HCC rats with ZnO-NPs led to a significant decline in hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine and a significant increase in reduced form of glutathione and DNA content of hepatic cells as compared to the HCC group. Additionally, ZnO-NPs prevented the significant increase in hepatic copper and manganese levels or the decrease in zinc level in rats with HCC. Furthermore, ZnO-NPs can modulate plasma glucose level and lipid profile associated with improved hepatic mucopolysacchrides and ATP that altered in the HCC group. In conclusion, the treatment of HCC rats with ZnO-NPs offered an anticancer remedy that may be considered as a new trend for control HCC.
Key words: Zinc oxide nanoparticles, hepatocellular carcinoma, trace elements, anti-inflammatory, oxidative stress
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