Morphological analysis and cytotoxicity of acrylamide on SPC212 human mesothelioma cells: Do low doses induce proliferation, while high doses cause toxicity?

Acrylamide is broadly utilized in numerous areas with different purposes including being an additive, flocculating, sealing, dry strength improver and polymerizing agent, and so forth. Furthermore, it forms in certain food products at high temperatures. It poses serious hazard since its readily water-soluble and very reactive nature. Besides in vivo studies, several in vitro studies with various cell lines are carried out to evaluate its toxicity. However, of these cell line studies, there are no mesothelium or mesothelioma cell lines. To fill this lacuna, we aimed at examining various dose range of acrylamide on SPC212 human mesothelioma cell line. First, we executed MTT and neutral red cytotoxicity tests and ascertained IC50 dose. Next, we performed inverted, light (haematoxylin–eosin and May Grünwald), fluorescent (DAPI) and confocal microscope (AO/EB) analyses as well as immunohistochemistry for Bax, Bcl-2 and PCNA proteins. As a result, we found IC50 of acrylamide at 2.65 mM. Starting from 3.13 mM of acrylamide dose, a deep decrease in cell proliferation was observed. Particularly in MTT assay, a proliferative action of acrylamide was detected at 0.39 and 0.78 mM, supported with inverted microscope images. In light microscope analysis, several cellular degenerations, including condensed and kidney-shaped nucleus were evident. In AO/EB staining, cells with apoptotic characteristics augmented dose-dependently, being upheld by a parallel uptick in Bax and a dimunition in Bcl-2 staining. Besides, PCNA decreased at IC50 dose of acrylamide. This is the acrylamide-associated first study conducted on SPC212 mesothelioma cells encompassing advanced morphological analysis. We believe this study to be an incentive for future studies.