Toxicological interactions of silver nanoparticles and non-essential metals in human hepatocarcinoma cell line. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miranda, Renata Rank; Bezerra Jr, Arandi Ginane; Oliveira Ribeiro, Ciro Alberto; Randi, Marco Antônio Ferreira; Voigt, Carmen Lúcia; Skytte, Lilian; Rasmussen, Kaare Lund; Kjeldsen, Frank; Filipak Neto, Francisco
• Is Part Of: Toxicology in vitro. Volume 40(2017)
• Page Start: 134
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: HepG2 -- Silver nanoparticles -- Mercury -- Cadmium -- Co-exposure -- Interaction; Toxicity testing -- In vitro -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 615.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2017.01.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-2333

Abstract

Abstract: Toxicological interaction represents a challenge to toxicology, particularly for novel contaminants. There are no data whether silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), present in a wide variety of products, can interact and modulate the toxicity of ubiquitous contaminants, such as nonessential metals. In the current study, we investigated the toxicological interactions of AgNP (size = 1–2 nm; zeta potential = − 23 mV), cadmium and mercury in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. The results indicated that the co-exposures led to toxicological interactions, with AgNP + Cd being more toxic than AgNP + Hg. Early (2–4 h) increases of ROS (DCF assay) and mitochondrial O2 − levels (Mitosox® assay) were observed in the cells co-exposed to AgNP + Cd/Hg, in comparison to control and individual contaminants, but the effect was partially reverted in AgNP + Hg at the end of 24 h-exposure. In addition, decreases of mitochondrial metabolism (MTT), cell viability (neutral red uptake assay), cell proliferation (crystal violet assay) and ABC-transporters activity (rhodamine accumulation assay) were also more pronounced in the co-exposure groups. Foremost, co-exposure to AgNP and metals potentiated cell death (mainly by necrosis) and Hg 2 + (but not Cd 2 + ) intracellular levels (ICP-MS). Therefore, toxicological interactions seem to increase the toxicity of AgNP, cadmium and mercury. Highlights: Toxicological interactions occurred in HepG2 cells exposed to AgNP + metals. Interactions affected cell viability, metabolism, proliferation and efflux transport. Increase of ROS levels was an early response. AgNP modulates Hg, but not Cd, uptake. AgNP + Cd was more toxic than AgNP + Hg.