title: In vitro synergistic, antagonistic, and duration of exposure effects of metal cations on eukaryotic cells.
abstract: Effects of duration of exposure of single metal cations (Ag+1, Cd+2, Cu+2, Ga+3, Ni+2, and Zn+2) on 3H-thymidine (3H-Tdr) incorporation and 3-[4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2yl-]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide-formazan (MTT-f) production in cultured murine fibroblasts (Balb/c 3T3) were investigated, and the synergistic and antagonistic effects of two metal cations applied simultaneously to the fibroblasts were assessed. The effects of duration of exposure were quantified using TC50 values (concentration of an element required to cause 50% toxicity compared with controls) measured after 24, 48, or 72 h. Using MTT-f production, Cd+2, Cu+2, Ga+3, and Ni+2 showed significantly lower TC50 values with increasing time of exposure, whereas the TC50 values for Ag+1 and Zn+2 remained constant. The TC50 values using 3H-Tdr incorporation exhibited a similar pattern with time of exposure, but the effects were less pronounced. The TC50 values for 3H-Tdr and MTT-f tended to equalize at 72 h. All combinations of cations tested (Ag-Cu, Ag-Zn, Ag-Ni, Cu-Zn, Cu-Ni, Ga-Ni, and Cu-Cd) exhibited synergistic and antagonistic effects as measured by MTT-f production. Synergistic and antagonistic effects were not necessarily mutually exclusive in the same system.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor 48109-1078.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Wataha
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Hanks
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Craig
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D002412:Cations / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D004336:Drug Antagonism; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008670:Metals / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002412:Cations; D008670:Metals