ROS induction and structural modification in human lymphocyte membrane under the influence of carbon nanotubes

Abstract

To assess the potential risks of using the artificial nanostructures the structural state of the human lymphocyte membrane and lipid peroxidation under the influence of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with metal impurities was studied. The ability of carbon nanotubes to induce the formation of reactive oxygen species in cells was examined. A dose-dependent increase in reactive oxygen species formation in lymphocytes, which was not registered in cells pre-incubated with N-acetylcystein, after exposure to carbon nanotubes was shown. The addition of iron chelator deferoxamine to carbon nanotubes has also resulted in a decrease of reactive oxygen species. The mechanism of the activation of lipid peroxidation under the influence of carbon nanotubes and a structural modification of human lymphocyte membranes were discussed.