clay and Liver-Neoplasms

Globally, food industries have made significant progress in order to increase the shelf-life of food products and have fewer economic losses. In this sense, the use of organomodified clays destined to be incorporated in polymer matrices play a novel role, leading to improved materials named nanocomposites with enhanced technological profiles. Due to the presence of these clays into the package, the safety of the consumers is a main concern. Cloisite(®)30B and Clay1 are two organomodified clays containing quaternary ammonium salts as modifiers, that can be potentially used to reinforce packaging polymers. Available toxicity data about these clays, specifically genotoxicity, is still limited and inconclusive in some aspects. Thus, the purpose of this work was to evaluate both clays ability to induce genomic instability through the cytokinesis block micronucleus cytome assay (CBMN) and for the first time, their influence in the modulation of several genes involved in genotoxicity and cell death mechanisms. Overall, no genotoxicity response was obtained in any case at the conditions tested. On the other hand, significant expression changes were observed on the genes selected. Nevertheless, further studies are highly needed to elucidate and increase the knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of clays toxicity.

Topics: Aluminum Silicates; Animals; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Clay; Food Packaging; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genomic Instability; Hep G2 Cells; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Micronucleus Tests; RNA, Messenger

Clay2 is an organomodified montmorillonite developed by the Technological Institute of Packaging, Transport and Logistic (ITENE) in order to improve polymeric materials used in food packaging. There is not much known on Clay2 toxic potential, particularly at DNA level, therefore it is mandatory to assess its toxicity prior to its commercialization. In the present study the human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) was exposed to non-cytotoxic concentrations of Clay2 and the genomic stability was studied with the Cytokinesis block micronucleus cytome assay, by determining the formation of micronuclei (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBUDs). Moreover, the expression of various genes involved in the mechanisms of its action using the real-time quantitative PCR was studied. The results obtained provide the evidence that Clay2 is potentially genotoxic as it increased the frequency of micronuclei. In addition it deregulated genes involved in the metabolism, immediate-early response/signaling, DNA damage and oxidative stress showing new valuable information on the cellular response to Clay2. Nonetheless, further studies are highly needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of clays toxicity.

Topics: Aluminum Silicates; Bentonite; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Nucleus; Clay; DNA Damage; Food Packaging; Gene Expression; Hep G2 Cells; Humans; Immediate-Early Proteins; Liver Neoplasms; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective; Micronucleus Tests; Mutagens; Oxidative Stress; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Fabrication of stimuli-triggered drug delivery vehicle s is an important milestone in treating cancer. Here we demonstrate the selective anticancer drug delivery into human cells with biocompatible 50-nm diameter halloysite nanotube carriers. Physically-adsorbed dextrin end stoppers secure the intercellular release of brilliant green. Drug-loaded nanotubes penetrate through the cellular membranes and their uptake efficiency depends on the cells growth rate. Intercellular glycosyl hydrolases-mediated decomposition of the dextrin tube-end stoppers triggers the release of the lumen-loaded brilliant green, which allowed for preferable elimination of human lung carcinoma cells (А549) as compared with hepatoma cells (Hep3b). The enzyme-activated intracellular delivery of brilliant green using dextrin-coated halloysite nanotubes is a promising platform for anticancer treatment.

Topics: Actins; Aluminum Silicates; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Clay; Dextrins; Drug Carriers; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Mitochondria; Nanotubes; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds