Interactive toxicity effect of combined exposure to hematite and amorphous silicon dioxide nanoparticles in human A 549 cell line

• Published in: Toxicology and industrial health 2021-05, Vol.37 (5), p.289-302
• Main Authors: Rafieepour, Athena, Azari, Mansour Rezazadeh, Khodagholi, Fariba, Jaktaji, Jalal Pourahmad, Mehrabi, Yadollah, Peirovi, Habibollah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0748-2337; 1477-0393
• DOI: 10.1177/07482337211002373

The study on the health effects of combined exposure to various contaminants has been recommended by many authors. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of the co-exposure to hematite and amorphous silicon dioxide (A-SiO 2 ) nanoparticles on the human lung A 549 cell line. The A 549 cell line was exposed to 10, 50, 100, and 250 µg/ml concentrations of hematite and A-SiO 2 nanoparticles both independently and in combination. Their toxicity in both circumstances was investigated by MTT, intracellular reactive oxygen species, cell glutathione content, and mitochondrial membrane potential tests, and the type of interaction was investigated by statistical analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, v. 21). Results showed that the independent exposure to either hematite or A-SiO 2 compared with the control group produced more toxic effects on the A 549 cell line. The toxicity of combined exposure of the nanoparticles was lower compared with independent exposure, and antagonistic interactive effects were detected. The findings of this study could be useful in clarifying the present debate on the health effects of combined exposure of hematite and A-SiO 2 nanoparticles. Because of the complexities of combined exposures, further studies of this kind are recommended.