SUMMARY
Introduction. Carbon nanoparticles have unique mechanical, electrical and thermal properties and are widely used in scientific research, industry and medicine. They are a promising nanomaterial for medical use due to their really high biocompatibility with blood, bones, cartilages and soft tissues. The capability of nanotubes to transport medicines and chemicals inside a cell predicts the possibility of the increase of classical substances toxicity in case of their intake into the body together with nanotubes.The aim of the study – to determine how nanoparticles affect the hepatotoxic properties of tetrachloromethane.Research Methods. The experiments were performed on outbred male rats, which were administered intraperitoneally with 0.5 ml of suspension of single-walled, multi-walled or multi-walled functionalized by COOH nanotubes (60 mg/kg) separately or together with tetrachlormethane (2 ml/kg). The animals were taken out of the experiment in 3, 6 and 48 hours after the administration of the nanotubes and tetrachlormethane. Alanine and aspartate transaminases, alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as total protein and urea contents were measured in rat blood plasma.Results and Discussion. It has been shown that only multi-walled carbon nanotubes changed significantly the studied parameters. The administration of tetrachloromethane to rats caused significant changes of all indices.Maximal changes of all parameters were registered in the group of animals that were coadministered with carbon nanotubes and tetrachloromethane. In this case, activities of transaminases and alkaline phosphatase in blood significantly changed compared to the similar indicators in the group of animals, which were administered with the chemical toxicant only.Conclusion. Carbon nanotubes enhance the negative hepatotoxic effects of tetrachlormethane.