Proteomic profile of thyroid gland and gene expression of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis are modulated due exposure to AgNPs during prepubertal rat stages.

Silver nanoparticles have potent antimicrobial activity and, for this reason, are incorporated into a variety of products, raising concern about their potential risks and impacts on human health and the environment. The developmental period is highly dependent on thyroid hormones, and puberty is a sensitive period, where changes in the hormonal environment may have permanent effects. We evaluated the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) thyroid axis after exposure to low doses of silver nanoparticles using a validated protocol to assess pubertal development and thyroid function in immature male rats. For stimulatory events of the HP thyroid axis, we observed an increase in the expression of Trh mRNA and serum triiodothyronine. Negative feedback reduced the hypothalamic expression of Dio2 mRNA and increased the expression of Thra1, Thra2 and Thrb2 mRNAs. In the pituitary, there was a reduced expression of Mct-8 mRNA and Dio2 mRNA. For peripheral T3-target tissues, a reduced expression of Mct-8 mRNA was observed in the heart and liver. An increased expression of Dio3 mRNA was observed in the heart and liver and an increased expression of Thrb2 mRNA was observed in the liver. The quantitative proteomic profile of the thyroid gland indicated a reduction in cytoskeletal proteins (Cap1, Cav1, Lasp1, Marcks and Tpm4; 1.875 μg AgNP/kg), a reduction in the profile of chaperones (Hsp90aa1, Hsp90ab1, Hspa8, Hspa9, P4hb) and proteins that participate in the N-glycosylation process (Ddost, Rpn1 and Rpn2) (15 μg AgNP/kg). Exposure to low doses of AgNPs during the window of development of puberty affects the regulation of the HP thyroid axis with further consequences in thyroid gland physiology.