Objective: To study the in vitro cytotoxicity and oxidative damages of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNTs) on RAW264.7 macrophages.
Methods: The RAW264.7 macrophages were treated with different concentrations of MWCNTs (2.5, 10, 25 and 100 microg/ml), deoxyribonucleic acid sodium salt and saline for 24h. deoxyribonucleic acid sodium salt were used for increasing the dispersity of MWCNTs. MTT assays were applied to testing the viability of RAW264.7 cell. The contents of Total protein (TP), nitrogen monoxidum (NO), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) ,the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were determined in supernate and intracellular. The morphological change of RAW 264.7 were also observed after exposure to MWCNTs for 24h.
Results: Compared with the controls, significant differences in the viability, cytotoxicity and oxidative damages were observed in 25 and 100 microg/ml groups. With the administration concentrations increased, intracellular or extracelluar levels of TP, LDH, NO and MDA in treatment groups increased, while the levels of GSH and SOD decreased with a significant dose-effect relationship. Which accord to the morphological change of RAW 264.7 after exposure to MWCNTs for 24h.
Conclusion: MWCNTs could cause cytotoxicity and oxidative damages to RAW264.7 macrophages, with a dose-effect relationship.