Protective role of Monascus red pigment against hydroxyapatite nanoparticle-induced liver injury in rats via modulation of metabolic regulators.

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HANPs) are widely used in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility and structural similarity to human bones. However, like other nanoparticles, HANPs circulate in the bloodstream and accumulate in organs such as the liver, raising toxicity concerns. This study investigated the hepatic effects of oral HANPs exposure at a dose of 88.3 mg/kg body weight in male rats and evaluated the protective potential of varying doses of Monascus purpureus red pigment (RP; 10, 20, 40 mg/kg body weight). HANPs exposure led to significant disruptions, including elevated liver function biomarkers, altered lipid profiles, increased oxidative stress, reduced antioxidant enzyme activity, and heightened inflammatory responses, along with the suppression of key metabolic regulators. Histopathological analysis further revealed substantial liver tissue alterations. However, co-treatment with M. purpureus RP effectively mitigated these adverse effects, restoring biochemical parameters to near-normal levels, with higher RP doses offering greater preservation of liver histoarchitecture. These findings underscore M. purpureus RP as a promising hepatoprotective agent against HANPs-induced liver toxicity.