Cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation in human Hep G2 liver epithelial cells following exposure to gold nanorods.
The gold nanorods (GNRs) are great potentials in imaging, therapy, biosensing, and many other commercial applications. However, GNRs interactions with human cells and potential health risks remain not well known. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the in vitro toxicity of 10 and 25 nm GNRs (10-50 μg/mL) following exposure for 48 h in human Hep G2 liver epithelial cells using 3-(4,5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, glutathione (GSH) estimation, lipid peroxidation (TBARS), caspase-3 levels, and interleukin-8 (IL-8) release assays. Exposure of GNRs to cells results in decrease in cell viability and causes cell membrane damage through LDH leakage results in cytotoxicity. The IC50 (concentration required to inhibit 50% of cells) values of 10 nm GNRs, 25 nm GNRs, and quartz (toxic control)-treated cells were found to be 19.9, 26.8, and 36.35 μg/mL, suggesting the higher cytotoxicity of GNRs. The GNRs exposure to liver cells found in depleted GSH levels, increased lipid peroxidation, and increased caspase-3 levels leads to induction of oxidative stress. In addition, enhanced levels of IL-8 were found, a sign of inflammation. The 10 nm GNRs have shown significant toxicity against all biochemical assays when compare to 25 nm GNRs and quartz-treated cells. Finally, the data indicate that the concentration size-dependent in vitro toxicity of GNRs toward liver Hep G2 cells. The toxicity of GNRs may be due to cell membrane damage, induction of oxidative stress, and inflammatory mediator release. Further investigations are necessitated to elucidate the in vivo toxicity of GNRs.
a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya University , Warangal , Telangana , India.
Harikiran
H
Lingabathula
a Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , University College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kakatiya University , Warangal , Telangana , India.
Narsimhareddy
N
Yellu
D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D016209:Interleukin-8; D006046:Gold
Cell viability; gold nanorods; inflammation; oxidative stress; toxicity