Effect of silver nanoparticles on the immune, redox, and lipid status of chicken blood

The aim of the study was to analyze how per os application of hydrocolloids of silver nanoparticles (22 nm) and lipid-coated silver nanoparticles (5 nm) affect the immune, redox, and lipid status of the blood of broiler chickens. The experiment was conducted on 60 chickens. The first group was the control (Group C). The chickens in Group II received a silver nanoparticle hydrocolloid (Ag-nano) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight (BW) per day. The chickens in Group III received a lipid-coated silver nanoparticle hydrocolloid (AgL-nano) at a dose of 5 mg/kg BW per day. Blood for analysis was collected from 24- and 38-day-old chickens and several blood parameters were determined. The increase in phagocytosis and in the metabolic activity of leukocytes observed following per os administration of chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles differing in size and in the presence or absence of a lipid coating may indicate a developing inflammatory state in the organism. The decrease in haemoglobin content and antioxidant enzyme activity and the increase in the content of iron, bilirubin, and lipid peroxidation products are indicative of oxidative stress, although in the case of administration of AgL-nano the oxidation effect appears to be greater. Administration of silver nanoparticles to the chickens, particularly 5 nm lipid-coated nanoparticles, probably led to a disturbance in protein catabolism in the organism, which is evidenced by the decrease in the activity of the liver enzymes AST and ALT and the decreased concentration of the main protein metabolism products (creatinine and urea).