Silver nanoparticle treatment ameliorates biliary atresia syndrome in rhesus rotavirus inoculated mice.

Biliary atresia (BA) is a neonatal biliary system disease closely associated with viral infection and bile duct inflammation. Silver nanoparticles (AgNps) have previously revealed antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we have investigated the effects of AgNps in the treatment of the Rhesus rotavirus inoculation induced BA in mice. The morphology, liver histopathology, clinical biochemistry examination, and inflammatory cells were analyzed in BA mice. Results indicated that AgNps could significantly increase the survival rate of BA mice, and reduce jaundice and weight lost and the liver enzymes and bilirubin metabolism clinical parameters were close to the normal levels. Diminished numbers of NK cells were observed by flow cytometry analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, the viral load was reduced and transcripts for TGF-β mRNA were augmented after AgNps treatment. Collectively, our results suggest that AgNps treatment has beneficial effects on the BA mouse model partially through upregulation of TGF-β.