Gold nanoparticles are one of nanomaterials widely used for biomedical purposes. Due to large surface area and high sorbtion capacity, they can be coated by biomolecules to produce gold core-shell hybrid nanostructures (GHNs). GHNs posess a great potential as agents for diagnostics, controlled drug delivery, bioimaging, cancer treatment, photodynamic therapy, etc. Use in biomedicine arises a problem of GHNs’ toxicity towards humans. In this study supported by the Ministry of Science and High Education of the Russian Federation (state contract 14.613.21.0086, unique identifier of the project RFMEFI61318X0086), measurement of biochemical parameters of rats after acute exposure to GHNs was carried out.rnGHNs were obtained by coating gold nanoparticles with immunoglobulins. After single intraveneous administration of GHNs in a dose of 1000 mg/kg of body weight, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured in rats’ organs and tissues. These parameters were used to evaluate the function of liver which is known to be the target organ for nanotoxicants. The obtained data indicated that the maximum change in the activity of ALT was observed in blood (it increased by 25% as compared to control animals). In other organs and tissues, changes in ALT did not exceed 14%. For ALP, the maximum increase in the activity was recorded in the liver (15% higher than the control value). Therefore, an increase in the enzymatic activity of ALT and ALP after administration of GHNs indicates the development of hepatic pathologies in rats as a result of acute toxicity of GHNs.
