1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IRAN
2Department of Pharmacology and Neurocognitive Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IRAN
3Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IRAN
4Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants and Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IRAN
Abstract
Objective: Today, special attention is paid to the use of zirconium dioxide nanoparticle (nano-ZrO2), a neutral bioceramic metal, particularly for drug and gene delivery in medicine. However, there are some reports implying that use of nano-ZrO2 is associated with cytotoxic effects like inhibiting the cell proliferation, DNA damage and apoptosis. In the present study, we examined whether nano-ZrO2 alters cell viability and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in two neuronal cell lines. Materials and Methods: The PC12 and N2a cells were cultured in the absence or presence of varying concentrations (31.25-2000 µg/ml) of nano-ZrO2 for 12, 24 or 48 h. The cell viability was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay and GPx activity was determined by quantifying the rate of oxidation of the reduced glutathione to the oxidized glutathione. Results: Nano-ZrO2 caused a significant reduction in cell viability and GPx activity after 12, 24 and 48h, as compared with control group. These effects were concentration dependent and started from 250µg/ml. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that nano-ZrO2, at concentrations of > 250 µg/ml, has antiproliferative effects via reducing the cell defense mechanism against oxidative stress.
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