The unavoidable and intangible human exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) carries a great risk of toxicities to different organs. Nanoparticles (NPs) are widely applied in many foods, water, medicine, cosmetics, agricultural, and industrial fields. The current study aimed to evaluate ZnONPs-induced histopathological and biochemical changes on the prostate of rats and investigate the possible prophylaxis by combined Rutin and vitamin C against these changes. Four equal groups of total forty adult male albino rats were randomly assigned (control, vehicle control, ZnONPs, and ZnONPs + Rutin C groups). Histological examination was done using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome stains. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) were used in an immunohistochemical analysis. Measurements of serum PSA, oxidation marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were also performed.
ZnONPs group revealed distorted prostatic acini with thickened inter-acinar stroma exhibiting congested blood vessels and inflammatory cells, in addition to disturbed oxidative-antioxidative balance with elevated serum PSA. ZnONPs and Rutin C group showed marked improvement of the prostatic architecture with restoration of the oxidative-antioxidative balance and serum PSA. Our study concluded that the administration of ZnONPs to rats injured their prostates both histologically and biochemically. Rutin C has a protective role against the toxic effect of ZnONPs.
