Assessment of Cellular Responses in Kidney Cells Exposed to Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticles

Cobalt oxide (Co 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles have been extensively used in various industrial and medical applications due to their special optical, magnetic, and electrical activity features. However, there is a lack of information about their toxicity and adverse effects on human health, especially concerning the kidney, which is considered to be a secondary target organ. We investigated the toxic potentials of Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles on NRK-52E kidney epithelial cells by in vitro assays. Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles were taken up by the kidney cells, and caused a decrease in cell viability, by significantly inducing apoptosis/ necrosis at 100 μg/mL. However, no significant DNA damage was observed. Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles induced cellular toxicity in kidney cells. These results should raise concern about the safety of Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles in their various applications. Further studies are needed to elucidate their toxic mechanism.

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