Cytotoxic effects of nickel ions on L929 cells

Objective To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of nickel ions on L929 cells and their cellular ultrastructural changes.Methods L929 cells were exposed to the culture mediums containing different concentrations of nickel ions(0、200、400、800 μmol/L)for 24,48 and 72h.MTT assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of nickel ions.In addition,the relative cell proliferation rate(RGR) and the cytotoxicity grade were calculated.Cellular morphology and ultrastructural features were examined using transmission electron microscopy 24h after culture.Results The results of MTT assay showed that cell viability at different culture time points were higher than that in the control group,and the cytotoxicity grade was 3 or 4 when the concentrations of nickel ions were among 200-800 μmol/L.Ultrastructural alterations were observed including irregular shaped nuclei,lipid droplet formation and mitochondrial swelling,and those phenomena were dose dependent.Conclusions Cellular proliferation of L929 cell was obviously inhibited by nickel ions.Cellular morphology and ultrastructure of L929 became to be at toxic state,and that was dose-dependent and time-dependent.