ABSTRACT
Background
Bovine Albumin Nanoparticles (BAN) have a high magnetic susceptibility and great potential for biomedical applications.
Aim
Evaluate the in vitro effects of magnetic BAN on mouse renal and submandibular cells.
Materials and Methods
The ferromagnetic iron oxide Nanoparticles (NPs) were lyophilized and diluted in Dulbecco’s modified eagle culture medium. The diameters of the NPs were measured. Mouse renal and submandibular cells were cultured from an initial passage of 3×106 cells in 100 cm2 culture flasks. Bovine Albumin Nanoparticles were applied to the culture at a concentration of 260, 160 and 85 μg/mL to test the number of viable or degenerating cells. Detection of apoptic and necrotic cells were carried out using the color variability and the nucleus morphology, chromatin condensation and fragmentation.
Results
The staining test with acridine orange and ethidium bromide allowed the distinction between viable, necrotic and apoptotic cells in each of the experimental groups. Frequency of cells in degeneration was significantly greater in the BAN-treated groups at concentration 260 μg/mL and 160 μg/mL. The comet assay revealed the frequency of cells with DNA damage; Mouse renal cells have an irregular shape, a large nucleus and numerous cytoplasmic projections. Their cytoplasm is rich in membranous organelles, maintaining the characteristic ultrastructure pattern of secretory cells. Mouse submandibular cells treated with BAN showed no changes in ultrastructure but had agglomerates of NPs inside and a greater amount of BAN agglomerates in the outside.
Conclusion
Results obtained in this article point to the biocompatibility of the sample of magnetic albumin polymers.