DNA Damage in Mammalian Cells by Atmospheric Pressure Microsecond-Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Is Not Mediated Via Lipid Peroxidation

Abstract

Lipid peroxidation in mammalian cells by nonthermal atmospheric pressure microsecond-pulsed dielectric barrier discharge plasma was investigated. It has been shown previously that plasma treatment of mammalian cells submerged in a shallow layer of culture medium can result in dose-dependent DNA damage. We show that nonthermal plasma induces lipid peroxidation, measured by release of malondialdehyde, in cells treated under medium and not under phosphate-buffered saline. N-Diphenyl-phenylenediamine, a lipophilic antioxidant, was used to block nonthermal plasma–induced lipid peroxidation. Although nonthermal plasma induces lipid peroxidation in mammalian cells, this peroxidation does not lead to DNA damage in mammalian cells. Thus, one needs to consider other possible mechanisms for plasma-induced DNA damage in mammalian cells such as reactive oxygen species signaling or active transport of long-lived organic hydroperoxides.