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N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine Affords Protection against Lead-Induced Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Human Liver Carcinoma (HepG 2 ) Cells

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  • Clement G. Yedjou

    (Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratory, NIH-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, P.O. Box 18540, Jackson, Mississippi, USA)

  • Paul B. Tchounwou

    (Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratory, NIH-Center for Environmental Health, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch Street, P.O. Box 18540, Jackson, Mississippi, USA)

Abstract

Although lead exposure has declined in recent years as a result of change to lead-free gasoline, several epidemiological have pointed out that it represents a medical and public health emergency, especially in young children consuming high amounts of lead-contaminated flake paints. A previous study in our laboratory indicated that lead exposure induces cytotoxicity in human liver carcinoma cells. In the present study, we evaluated the role of oxidative stress in lead-induced toxicity, and the protective effect of the anti-oxidant n-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC). We hypothesized that oxidative stress plays a role in lead-induced cytotoxicity, and that NAC affords protection against this adverse effect. To test this hypothesis, we performed the MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay and the trypan blue exclusion test for cell viability. We also performed the thiobarbituric acid test for lipid peroxidation. Data obtained from the MTT assay indicated that NAC significantly increased the viability of HepG2 cells in a dosedependent manner upon 48 hours of exposure. Similar trend was obtained with the trypan blue exclusion test. Data generated from the thiobarbituric acid test showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase of MDA levels in lead nitrate-treated HepG 2 cells compared to control cells. Interestingly, the addition of NAC to lead nitrate-treated HepG 2 cells significantly decreased cellular content of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as evidenced by the decrease in lipid peroxidation byproducts. Overall, findings from this study suggest that NAC inhibits lead nitrate-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress in HepG 2 cells. Hence, NAC may be used as a salvage therapy for lead-induced toxicity in exposed persons.

Suggested Citation

  • Clement G. Yedjou & Paul B. Tchounwou, 2007. "N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine Affords Protection against Lead-Induced Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Human Liver Carcinoma (HepG 2 ) Cells," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-6, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:4:y:2007:i:2:p:132-137:d:2334
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Teresa Washington & Paul B. Tchounwou, 2004. "Cytotoxicity and Transcriptional Activation of Stress Genes in Human Liver Carcinoma (HepG 2 ) Cells Exposed to Iprodione," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 1(1), pages 1-9, February.
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      Keywords

      Lead nitrate; cytotoxicity; MDA; NAC; oxidative stress; HepG2 cells;
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