Toxicity of cerium oxide nanoparticles in human lung cancer cells

Int J Toxicol. 2006 Nov-Dec;25(6):451-7. doi: 10.1080/10915810600959543.

Abstract

With the fast development of nanotechnology, the nanomaterials start to cause people's attention for potential toxic effect. In this paper, the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by 20-nm cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles in cultured human lung cancer cells was investigated. The sulforhodamine B method was employed to assess cell viability after exposure to 3.5, 10.5, and 23.3 microg/ml of CeO2 nanoparticles for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell viability decreased significantly as a function of nanoparticle dose and exposure time. Indicators of oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, including total reactive oxygen species, glutathione, malondialdehyde, alpha-tocopherol, and lactate dehydrogenase, were quantitatively assessed. It is concluded from the results that free radicals generated by exposure to 3.5 to 23.3 microg/ml CeO2 nanoparticles produce significant oxidative stress in the cells, as reflected by reduced glutathione and alpha-tocopherol levels; the toxic effects of CeO2 nanoparticles are dose dependent and time dependent; elevated oxidative stress increases the production of malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase, which are indicators of lipid peroxidation and cell membrane damage, respectively.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cerium / toxicity*
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Humans
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / biosynthesis
  • Lipid Peroxidation
  • Lung Neoplasms
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles / toxicity*
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • alpha-Tocopherol / metabolism

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Cerium
  • Malondialdehyde
  • ceric oxide
  • L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
  • Glutathione
  • alpha-Tocopherol