Carbon nanotubes induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis through increasing protein levels of Bax and ROS in mouse skin fibroblasts.

Background and purpose: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a significant discovery in nanotechnology, with widespread applications in modern technology. However, there are concerns about their potential toxicity, particularly in skin cells. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which CNTs induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in mouse skin fibroblasts.

Experimental approach: The mice skin fibroblasts were isolated and exposed to two types of CNTs at various concentrations and then analyzed for changes in viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, the levels of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and lactate production.

Findings/results: The results demonstrated that CNTs reduced cell viability and increased ROS production in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the current study found that CNTs increased the protein levels of Bax, a pro-apoptotic protein, in mouse skin fibroblasts. Furthermore, it was observed a significant decrease in lactate production in cells exposed to CNTs.

Conclusion and implications: The findings concluded that CNTs have the potential to be toxic substances for skin fibroblasts, which serve as the body's first line of defense. This is evidenced by their ability to increase the production of ROS and the protein levels of Bax, as well as reduce lactic acid levels. As lactic acid has been reported to have beneficial effects on skin collagen production, further studies are needed to fully understand the impact of carbon nanotube exposure on human skin health.