title: Nanoparticles of barium induce apoptosis in human phagocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nutrients and immunological factors of breast milk are essential for newborn growth and the development of their immune system, but this secretion can contain organic and inorganic toxins such as barium. Colostrum contamination with barium is an important issue to investigate because this naturally occurring element is also associated with human activity and industrial pollution. The study evaluated the administration of barium nanoparticles to colostrum, assessing the viability and functional activity of colostral mononuclear phagocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Colostrum was collected from 24 clinically healthy women (aged 18-35 years). Cell viability, superoxide release, intracellular Ca(2+) release, and phagocyte apoptosis were analyzed in the samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with barium lowered mononuclear phagocyte viability, increased superoxide release, and reduced intracellular calcium release. In addition, barium increased cell death by apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that nanoparticles of barium in colostrum are toxic to cells, showing the importance of avoiding exposure to this element.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mores
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo Luzia
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: França
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
authors.forename: Núbia Andrade
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eliane Aparecida
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Suchara
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biological and Health Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
authors.forename: Adenilda Cristina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Honorio-França
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001464:Barium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003126:Colostrum / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides; D001464:Barium; D002118:Calcium
keywords: barium chloride; colostrum; immune cells; immunotoxicology; intracellular Ca2+