Genotoxic Effects of Fe2O3 Nano- and Microparticles in Human Lymphocytes by the Comet Assay


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Özer T., Ünal F., Yüzbaşıoğlu D.

7th International Congress on Applied Biological Sciences, November , Adana, Turkey, 1 - 02 November 2022, pp.36

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Summary Text
  • City: Adana
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.36
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: Iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles-NPs and microparticles-MPs are multipurpose robust materials that are used in a wide variety of fields from military to medical. Nevertheless, information on their genotoxic effects is insufficient and contradictory. In this study, the genotoxic effects of Fe2O3 NPs and MPs were investigated by performing a comet assay (Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis) in human peripheral lymphocytes.

Method: Isolated lymphocytes were treated with 25, 125, 250, and 500 μg/mL concentrations of NPs and MPs within 2 and 3 hours. Sterile distilled water and hydrogen peroxide was used as negative and positive controls, respectively. DNA damages due to genotoxicity were examined using comet assay.

Results: Three different comet parameters were evaluated in this study: tail length, tail intensity, and tail moment. None of the 2h applications of Fe2O3 NPs and MPs formed significant DNA damage in lymphocytes compared to the negative control. However, at 3h treatment, all          the concentrations of both of the particles significantly but not-dose dependently increased tail length. In terms of tail intensity, all the tested concentrations of Fe2O3 MPs but only the highest one (500 μg/mL) of the NPs induced a significant increase in lymphocytes. No significant DNA damage was determined in the tail moment for all the parameters tested.

Conclusion: These results revealed that the 3h application of both particles was more effective than the 2h treatment to induce DNA damage in nucleoids. Also, the DNA-damaging effect of MPs was slightly higher than those of the NPs. Long-term exposure to Fe2O3 MPs looks more genotoxic than NPs for lymphocytes in vitro treatment. Aggregations of the nanoparticles and co-products of the high dose concentrations may be the issue for these results. However, more investigations should be conducted to determine the genotoxic potential of these particles using different types of cells, organisms, and test systems.