Effects of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles on Visual Processes and Electro-Retinography Waves in the Bullfrog Eye

The nickel oxide nanoparticles were synthesized and their effects were evaluated on the visual system of the vertebrate eye. The physico-chemical characterization of the prepared nanoparticles was carried out through transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Electroretinography (ERG) was used to evaluate the possible effects of the nickel oxide nanoparticles on the visual system. TEM and XRD measurements demonstrated that the size of nickel oxide nanoparticles was in the range of 4-10 nm. ERG results showed that nickel oxide nanoparticles markedly improve ERG b-wave amplitude during dark-adapted and in the presence of background light. Nickel oxide nanoparticles increased visual sensitivity by 0.4 log units of light intensity and also shortened the time required for rhodopsin regeneration. In conclusion, nickel oxide nanoparticles have positive effects on visual processes in vertebrate eye. (author)