Introduction. Reduced emissions of hazardous pollutants into the ambient and workplace air registered at modern industrial enterprises is an additional positive effect of updating production facilities. The problem of exposure to nanoparticles, however, remains relevant, but the focus of world science is shifting towards the toxicity of lower doses. The purpose of the study is to assess the general toxic effect of subchronic exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in an in vivo experiment on outbred male rats. Material and methods. Stable suspensions of copper oxide nanoparticles were administered to male rats in a single dose of 1 mg/kg body weight thrice a week for six weeks. Health status of the experimental animals was then evaluated by certain criteria to establish the general toxic effect of the subchronic exposure. Student’s t-test was used to assess statistical significance of differences between the exposure and control groups.
Results. We found a decrease in the intensity of intracellular energy processes, morphological and functional changes in the liver, kidneys and spleen, including those associated with the activation of cellular immunity in the exposed animals. Limitations. The study was limited to examining general toxicity in an experimental study of subchronic exposure of male rats to copper oxide nanoparticles using only one dose. Conclusion. The severity of the changes observed suggests that, judging by the assessed parameters of general toxicity, the dose approximates the threshold one for rats.