Cytotoxic effects of polystyrene–titanium–arsenate composite in cultured H9c2 cardiomyoblasts

Abstract

In the present report, we explored the toxicological behaviour of engineered polystyrene–titanium– arsenate (PS–Ti–As) composite using cultured H9c2 cardiomyoblasts in vitro. From in vitro cytotoxicity studies, it appears that the composite can be toxic to the cardiac cells and the value of IC50 investigated to be the highest concentration of 500 lg mL-1, during 16–24 h of incubation period. The cell morphological studies based on dual staining with acridine orange and ethidium bromide indicates that apoptosis is the dominating pathway of cell death. Furthermore, an enhanced DNA fragmentation, increased reactive oxygen species production and caspase release demonstrates the potential risks associated with the exposure of PS–Ti–As composite to the cardiac cells.