Mechanistic investigation of toxicity of chromium oxide nanoparticles in murine fibrosarcoma cells

Abstract

Chromium oxide nanoparticles (Cr₂O₃NPs) are widely used in polymers and paints. In the present study, we aimed to determine the toxicity of Cr₂O₃NPs in murine fibrosarcoma (L929) cells. The cytotoxicity of Cr₂O₃NPs was measured by MTT and neutral red uptake assays; Cr₂O₃NPs had significant cytotoxic effects on L929 cells. Enhancement of intracellular reactive oxygen species was observed in L929 cells after exposure to Cr₂O₃NPs. Cr₂O₃NPs produced caspase-3, indicating that exposure to Cr₂O₃NPs induced apoptosis. After exposure to Cr₂O₃NPs, the cellular glutathione level decreased and lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. By using single-cell gel tests, we also observed increased DNA damage in a Cr₂O₃NP exposure-duration- and dose-dependent fashion. Cell toxicity and DNA damage may be useful biomarkers for determining the safety of Cr₂O₃NPs in human and animal health.

Keywords:

• Cr₂O₃NPs
• L929 cells
• MTT assay
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for its funding of this research through the Research Group Project No RGP-180. Review board approval was not sought as our institute does not require ethical committee approval for in vitro research.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.