Nanosilica exerts cytotoxicity and apoptotic response via oxidative stress in mouse embryonic fibroblasts

Abstract

Nanoscale silica is an important industrial material and extensively used in medicines. The objective of this study was to determine potential cytotoxicity and genotoxic effects attributed to nanosilica exposure in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (L929) cells. Nanosilica produced mild cytotoxicity in L929 cells. Results showed that nanosilica increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels and enhanced superoxide dismutase activity but decreased levels of glutathione. This was accompanied by a concomitant generation of reactive oxygen species, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of caspase-3 activity. In addition, in the single-cell gel test, nanosilica (50–300 μg/ml) at two treatment times 24 and 48 hr produced concentration- and time-dependent increase of DNA damage. Therefore, the obtained results indicate that nanosilica may induce genotoxic effects in cultured L929 cells associated with induction of oxidative stress.

Keywords:

• L929 cells
• nanosilica
• oxidative stress
• MTT assay
• DNA damage
• apoptosis

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by King Saud University, Deanship of Scientific Research, College of Science Research Center.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.