RNA sequencing analysis shows that titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce endoplasmic reticulum stress, which has a central role in mediating plasma glucose in mice

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) constitute the top five NPs in use today. In this study, oral administration of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) TiO₂ NPs increases plasma glucose in mice, whereas 10 and 20 mg/kg b.w. TiO₂ NPs did not. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology was used to investigate genome-wide effects of TiO₂ NPs. Clustering analysis of the RNA-seq data showed the most significantly enriched gene ontology terms and KEGG pathways related to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and ER stress. Molecular biology verification showed that 50 mg/kg b.w. and higher doses TiO₂ NPs activated a xenobiotic biodegradation response and increased expression of cytochrome <i>P450</i> family genes in mouse livers, thus inducing ER stress in mice. ER stress-activated MAPK and NF-κB pathways and induced an inflammation response, resulting in phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate 1 and, consequently, insulin resistance. This was the main mechanism by which TiO₂ NPs increased plasma glucose in mice. Meanwhile, ER stress disturbed the monooxygenase system, and thus generated reactive oxygen species (ROS). Relief of ER stress with 4-phenylbutyric acid inhibited all the above effects of TiO₂ NPs, including the generation of ROS. Therefore, TiO₂ NP-induced ER stress was a decisive factor with a central role in plasma glucose disturbance in mice.