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Apoptosis and DNA damage induced by silica nanoparticles and formaldehyde in human lung epithelial cells

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Abstract

Human exposure to silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and formaldehyde (FA) is increasing and this has raised some concerns over their possible toxic effects on the exposed working populations. Notwithstanding several studies in this area, the combined toxicological effects of these contaminants have not been yet studied. Therefore, this in vitro study was designed to evaluate the SNPs and FA combined toxicity on human lung epithelial cells (A549 cells). The cells were exposed to SNPs and FA separately and in combined form and the single and combined toxicity of SNPs and FA were evaluated by focusing on cellular viability, DNA damage, and apoptosis via MTT, DAPI staining, DNA ladder, and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assays. The results showed a significant increase in cytotoxicity, DNA damage, and chromatin fragmentation and late apoptotic\necrotic rates in combined treated cells compared with SNPs and FA-treated cells (P value < 0.05). Two-factorial analysis showed an additive toxic interaction between SNPs and FA. Eventually, this can be deduced that workers exposed simultaneously to SNPs and FA may be at high risk compared with exposure to each other.

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Funding

The authors are grateful for the financial support of this study by the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, which was a part of M.Sc thesis No: B/368, Tabriz, Iran.

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Author notes

  1. Jafar Ezzati Nazhad Dolatabadi and Yahya Rasoulzadeh contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Mehran Nazarparvar-Noshadi & Dariush Shanehbandi

  2. Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Mehran Nazarparvar-Noshadi, Yahya Rasoulzadeh & Yousef Mohammadian

  3. Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Mehran Nazarparvar-Noshadi

  4. Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

    Jafar Ezzati Nazhad Dolatabadi

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  1. Mehran Nazarparvar-Noshadi
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  2. Jafar Ezzati Nazhad Dolatabadi
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  3. Yahya Rasoulzadeh
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  5. Dariush Shanehbandi
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Correspondence to Jafar Ezzati Nazhad Dolatabadi or Yahya Rasoulzadeh.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Statement of novelty

Workers are exposed simultaneously with silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and formaldehyde (FA) in some industrial settings such as foundry factories. For the first time, the present research was designed to evaluate combined toxicity of SNPs and FA on A549 cell line by focusing on cellular viability, DNA damage, and apoptosis via MTT, DAPI staining, DNA ladder, and Annexin V-FITC apoptosis assays.

This study leaded to useful information on the formulation or revision of permissible occupational exposure limits and accurate risk assessment for all people exposed to SNPs and FA. However, further studies are needed.

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Highlights

• Single and combined toxicity of SNPs and FA were evaluated.

• SNPs and FA co-exposure caused DNA damage and apoptosis in A549 cells.

• The results showed an additive toxic interaction between SNPs and FA.

• Workers exposed simultaneously to SNPs and FA may be at high risk.

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Nazarparvar-Noshadi, M., Ezzati Nazhad Dolatabadi, J., Rasoulzadeh, Y. et al. Apoptosis and DNA damage induced by silica nanoparticles and formaldehyde in human lung epithelial cells. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 18592–18601 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08191-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08191-8

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