Palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity and protection by (+)-catechin in rat cortical astrocytes

BackgroundAstrocytes do not only maintain homeostasis of the extracellular milieu of the neurons, but also play an active role in modulating synaptic transmission. Palmitic acid (PA) is a saturated fatty acid which, when being excessive, is a significant risk factor for lipotoxicity. Activation of astrocytes by PA has been shown to cause neuronal inflammation and demyelination. However, direct damage by PA to astrocytes is relatively unexplored. The aim of this study was to identify the mechanism(s) of PA-induced cytotoxicity in rat cortical astrocytes and possible protection by (+)-catechin.MethodsCytotoxicity and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) markers were assessed by MTT assay and Western blotting, respectively. Cytosolic Ca²⁺ and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured microfluorimetrically using fura-2 and rhodamine 123, respectively. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assayed by the indicator 2′-7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate.ResultsExposure of astrocytes to 100 μM PA for 24 h resulted in apoptotic cell death. Whilst PA-induced cell death appeared to be unrelated to ER stress and perturbation in cytosolic Ca²⁺ signaling, it was likely a result of ROS production and subsequent MMP collapse, since ascorbic acid (anti-oxidant, 100 μM) prevented PA-induced MMP collapse and cell death. Co-treatment of astrocytes with (+)-catechin (300 μM), an anti-oxidant found abundantly in green tea, significantly prevented PA-induced ROS production, MMP collapse and cell death.ConclusionOur results suggest that PA-induced cytotoxicity in astrocytes may involve ROS generation and MMP collapse, which can be prevented by (+)-catechin.     

Involvement of endoplasmic reticulum and autophagy in microcystin-LR toxicity in Vero-E6 and HepG2 cell lines

This work investigates the involvement of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and autophagy in microcystin-LR (MCLR) toxicity in Vero-E6 and HepG2 cell lines. Additionally, morphological alterations induced by MCLR in lysosomes and mitochondria were studied. Cytotoxicity evaluation showed that pure MCLR and MCLR from LMECYA110 extract induce concentration dependent viability decays after 24 h exposure. HepG2 cells showed an increased sensitivity to MCLR than Vero cells, with lower cytotoxic thresholds and EC₅₀ values. Conversely, LC3B immunofluorescence showed that autophagy is triggered in both cell lines as a survival response to low MCLR concentrations. Furthermore, MCLR induced a MCLR concentration-dependent decrease of GRP94 expression in HepG2 cells while in Vero cells no alteration was observed. This suggests the involvement of the ER in HepG2 apoptosis elicited by MCLR, while in Vero cells ER destructuration could be a consequence of cytoskeleton inflicted damages. Additionally, in both cell lines, lysosomal destabilization preceded mitochondrial impairment which occurred at high toxin concentrations. Although not an early cellular target of MCLR, mitochondria appears to serve as central mediators of different signaling pathways elicited by the organelles involved in MCLR toxicity. As a result, kidney and hepatic cell lines exhibit cell type and dose-dependent mechanisms to overcome MCLR toxicity.     

Induction of G2/M arrest,caspase activation and apoptosis by α-santonin derivatives in HL-60 cells

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are natural products with a variety of biological activities. Previously, we demonstrated the cytotoxic effects of three new α-santonin derivatives on different tumor cell lines with low toxic effects upon peripheral human leukocytes. Here, we evaluated the mechanism of action triggered by these derivatives. HL-60 cell cycle determined after 24 h treatment revealed a significant inhibition on cell-cycle progression and leading to an increasing of cells in G₂/M [7.6% and 9.0% for compound 3% and 9.0% and 8.6% for compound 4 (1 and 2 μM, respectively)]. However, after 48 h exposure, all compounds caused G₂/M reduction and a significant DNA fragmentation. Compounds 2, 3 and 4 were able to induce apoptosis on leukemia cells, which was corroborated by phosphatidyserine externalization and activation of caspases-3 and -7 after 24 h exposure. None of the derivatives analyzed caused depolarization of mitochondrial membrane within 24 h of incubation, suggesting the involvement of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway in the death process. The antiproliferative action of these compounds is related to the DNA synthesis inhibition and cell cycle arrest, which probably lead to apoptosis activation. Therefore, these santonin derivatives are promising lead candidates for development of new cytotoxic agents.     

Bisphenol A affects cell viability involved in autophagy and apoptosis in goat testis sertoli cell

Bisphenol A (BPA) is shown to be the endocrine disruptor that induces reproductive dysfunction in male animals. In this study, we aim to probe the effects of BPA exposure on induction of autophagy in goat Sertoli Cells (gSCs), as well as the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis. Results indicated that exposure to BPA (100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 μM) decreased the cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Exposure of gSCs to 500 μM BPA for 12 h resulted in in vitro triggered loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Apoptosis with an increase in Bax:Bcl-2 ratio and higher rates of autophagy, such as autophagosome formation and increased expression of autophagy-related markers were also induced in gSCs exposed to 500 μM BPA. Furthermore, treatment with 350 nM Rapamycin (Rap, autophagy activator) alleviated a decrease in cell viability, intracellular ROS production, and reduction of ΔΨm, as well as decreasing apoptosis. Collectively, our results indicated that gSCs viability was disrupted after BPA treatment through affecting ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential and inducing autophagy/apoptosis.     

Dual role of resveratrol in modulation of genotoxicity induced by sodium arsenite via oxidative stress and apoptosis

The potential benefits of resveratrol as an anticancer (proapoptosis) and antioxidant (pro-survival) compound have been studied extensively. However, the role of resveratrol in modulation of the toxicity induced by sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) is still unclear. In the present study, we examined the effects of resveratrol on NaAsO₂-induced cytotoxicity, DNA and chromosomal damage, cell cycle progression, apoptosis and oxidative stress in human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial (A549) cell line at concentrations from 1 to 20 μM after 24 h exposure. Our results revealed that at 1 and 5 μM, resveratrol was found to exert benefit effects, promoting cell viability and proliferation over 24 h NaAsO₂ exposure, whereas, resveratrol was showed to inhibit cell survival under the same condition at 20 μM. Corresponding to the opposing effect of resveratrol at low vs. high concentrations, DNA and chromosomal damage, cell apoptotic rate and level of oxidative stress were also alleviated by lower concentrations (1, 5 μM) of resveratrol, but exacerbated by higher concentration (20 μM) resveratrol. Our study implicates that resveratrol is the most beneficial to cells at 1 and 5 μM and caution should be taken in applying resveratrol as an anticancer therapeutic agent or nutraceutical supplement due to its concentration dependent effect.     

Berberine exerts nephroprotective effect against cisplatin-induced kidney damage through inhibition of oxidative/nitrosative stress,inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis

The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic activity of isoquinoline alkaloid berberine against cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Berberine was administered at daily doses of 1, 2 and 3 mg/kg by gavage for two successive days, 48 h after intraperitoneal CP injection (13 mg/kg). Mice were sacrificed 24 h after the last dose of berberine. Histopathological changes and the increase in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) induced by CP were significantly ameliorated by berberine in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, oxidative/nitrosative stress, evidenced by the increase in renal 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), cytochrome P450 E1 (CYP2E1) and heme oxygenase (HO-1) expression, was significantly reduced. The expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was markedly suppressed by berberine, indicating the inhibition of inflammatory response. Treatment of CP-intoxicated animals with berberine also significantly reduced the expression of p53, active caspase-3 as well as autophagy marker light chain 3B (LC3B) in the kidneys. The results of the current study showed the nephroprotective activity of berberine against CP-induced renal injury, which could be attributed to the inhibition of oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis.     

Oxidative stress contributes to silica nanoparticle-induced cytotoxicity in human embryonic kidney cells

In order to elucidate the nanoparticle-induced cytotoxicity and its mechanism, the effects of 20 and 50 nm silica nanoparticles on cultured human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells were investigated. Cell viability, mitochondrial function, cell morphology, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed under control and silica exposed conditions. Exposure to 20 or 50 nm SiO₂ nanoparticles at dosage levels between 20 and 100 μg/ml decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of 24 h exposure was 80.2 ± 6.4 and 140.3 ± 8.6 μg/ml for 20 and 50 nm SiO₂ nanoparticles, respectively. Morphological examination revealed cell shrinkage and nuclear condensation after SiO₂ nanoparticle exposure. Increase in intracellular ROS level and reduction in GSH content were also observed in SiO₂ nanoparticle-exposed HEK293 cells. Increase in the amount of TBARS suggested an elevated level of lipid peroxidation. Flow cytometric analysis showed that SiO₂ nanoparticles can cause G2/M phase arrest and apoptotic sub-G1 population increase in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, exposure to SiO₂ nanoparticles resulted in a dose-dependent cytotoxicity in cultured HEK293 cells that was associated with increased oxidative stress.     

Autophagy upregulation promotes survival and attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

This study evaluated whether the manipulation of autophagy could attenuate the cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin (DXR) in vitro as well as in a tumour-bearing mouse model of acute doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. We examined the effect of an increase or inhibition of autophagy in combination with DXR on apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial function. H9C2 rat cardiac myoblasts were pre-treated with bafilomycin A1 (autophagy inhibitor, 10 nM) or rapamycin (autophagy inducer, 50 μM) followed by DXR treatment (3 μM). The augmentation of autophagy with rapamycin in the presence of DXR substantially ameliorated the detrimental effects induced by DXR. This combination treatment demonstrated improved cell viability, decreased apoptosis and ROS production and enhanced mitochondrial function. To corroborate these findings, GFP-LC3 mice were inoculated with a mouse breast cancer cell line (EO771). Following the appearance of tumours, animals were either treated with one injection of rapamycin (4 mg/kg) followed by two injections of DXR (10 mg/kg). Mice were then sacrificed and their hearts rapidly excised and utilized for biochemical and histological analyses. The combination treatment, rather than the combinants alone, conferred a cardioprotective effect. These hearts expressed down-regulation of the pro-apoptotic protein caspase-3 and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area was preserved. These results strongly indicate that the co-treatment strategy with rapamycin can attenuate the cardiotoxic effects of DXR in a tumour-bearing mouse model.     

Alveolar epithelial cells (A549) exposed at the air–liquid interface to diesel exhaust: First study in TNO’s powertrain test center

Air–liquid interface (ALI) exposures enable in vitro testing of mixtures of gases and particles such as diesel exhaust (DE). The main objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of exposing human lung epithelial cells at the ALI to complete DE generated by a heavy-duty truck in the state-of-the-art TNO powertrain test center. A549 cells were exposed at the air–liquid interface to DE generated by a heavy-duty Euro III truck for 1.5 h. The truck was tested at a speed of ～70 km h^?1 to simulate free-flowing traffic on a motorway. Twenty-four hours after exposure, cells were analyzed for markers of oxidative stress (GSH and HO-1), cytotoxicity (LDH and Alamar Blue assay) and inflammation (IL-8). DE exposure resulted in an increased oxidative stress response (significantly increased HO-1 levels and significantly reduced GSH/GSSH ratio), and a decreased cell viability (significantly decreased Alamar Blue levels and slightly increased LDH levels). However, the pro-inflammatory response seemed to decrease (decrease in IL-8). The results presented here demonstrate that we are able to successfully expose A549 cells at ALI to complete DE generated by a heavy-duty truck in TNO’s powertrain test center and show oxidative stress and cytotoxicity responses due to DE exposure.     

TNFα-induced necroptosis and autophagy via supression of the p38-NF-κB survival pathway in L929 cells

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) has been reported to induce necroptosis and autophagy, but its mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found that TNFα significantly induced necroptosis and autophagy in murine fibrosarcoma L929 cells. The necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) completely blocked TNFα-induced necroptosis and autophagy, but inhibition of autophagy with 3-methyladenine (3MA) or Beclin 1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) promoted necroptosis, indicating that autophagy acted as a negative regulator of TNFα-induced necroptosis. The cytotoxicity of TNFα was accompanied by decreased expressions of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and inhibition of p38 and NF-κB activation by chemical inhibitors or siRNA augmented these necroptotic and autophagic responses to TNFα in the cells. The pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk (zVAD) exacerbated TNFα-induced necroptosis and autophagy. Combined treatment with TNFα and zVAD further decreased the expressions of p-p38 and NF-κB compared with TNFα alone treatment. Consequently, these results indicated that suppression of the p38-NF-κB survivial signaling pathway promoted necroptotic and autophagic cell death in TNFα-treated L929 cells.     

Pharmacological evidence for a role of the transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3) channel in endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis of human coronary artery endothelial cells

Unresolved endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, with the subsequent persistent activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) is a well-recognized mechanism of endothelial cell apoptosis with a major impact on the integrity of the endothelium during the course of cardiovascular diseases. As in other cell types, Ca^2 + influx into endothelial cells can promote ER stress and/or contribute to mechanisms associated with it. In previous work we showed that in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) the Ca^2 +-permeable non-selective cation channel Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 3 (TRPC3) mediates constitutive Ca^2 + influx which is critical for operation of inflammatory signaling in these cells, through a mechanism that entails coupling of TRPC3 constitutive function to activation of Ca^2 +/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CAMKII). TRPC3 has been linked to UPR signaling and apoptosis in cells other than endothelial, and CAMKII is a mediator of ER stress-induced apoptosis in various cell types, including endothelial cells. In the present work we used a pharmacological approach to examine whether in HCAECs TRPC3 and CAMKII also contribute to mechanisms of ER stress-induced apoptosis. The findings show for the first time that in HCAECs activation of the UPR and the subsequent ER stress-induced apoptosis exhibit a strong requirement for constitutive Ca^2 + influx and that TRPC3 contributes to this process. In addition, we obtained evidence indicating that, similar to its roles in non-endothelial cells, CAMKII participates in ER stress-induced apoptosis in HCAECs.     

Calcium channel blocker verapamil accelerates gambogic acid-induced cytotoxicity via enhancing proteasome inhibition and ROS generation

Verapamil (Ver), an inhibitor of the multidrug resistance gene product, has been proved to be a promising combination partner with other anti-cancer agents including proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Gambogic acid (GA) has been approved for Phase II clinical trials in cancer therapy in China. We have most recently reported that GA is a potent proteasome inhibitor, with anticancer efficiency comparable to bortezomib but much less toxicity. In the current study we investigated whether Ver can enhance the cytotoxicity of GA. We report that (i) the combination of Ver and GA results in synergistic cytotoxic effect and cell death induction in HepG2 and K562 cancer cell lines; (ii) a combinational treatment with Ver and GA induces caspase activation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production; (iii) caspase inhibitor z-VAD blocks GA + Ver-induced apoptosis but not proteasome inhibition; (iv) cysteine-containing compound N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevents GA + Ver-induced poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and proteasome inhibition. These results demonstrate that Ver accelerates GA-induced cytotoxicity via enhancing proteasome inhibition and ROS production. These findings indicate that the natural product GA is a valuable candidate that can be used in combination with Ver, thus representing a compelling anticancer strategy.     

Cell viability score (CVS) as a good indicator of critical concentration of benzalkonium chloride for toxicity in cultured ocular surface cell lines

Cytotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is a major factor affecting drug cytotoxicity. This study aimed to determine the critical concentration of BAK for cultured ocular cells, using SIRC (rabbit corneal epithelium), BCE C/D-1b (bovine corneal epithelial cells), RC-1 (rabbit corneal epithelium), and Chang (human conjunctival cells). Cell viability was determined following the exposure of cells to 11 concentrations of BAK for 10, 30, or 60 min using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red assays, and the cell viability score (CVS) was used to evaluate comprehensively the toxicity of BAK. The CVS system consists of two values. The CVS50 was determined by the number of measurements for viability ⩾50% of control. The CVS40/80 was calculated as follows: CVS40/80 = (number of measurements for viability values >80%) − (number of measurements for viability values <40%). Both %CVS50 and %CVS40/80 decreased with concentrations of BAK. When BAK concentrations were 0.01% or higher, %CVS50 and %CVS40/80 became 0 and less than −90, respectively. Meanwhile, when BAK concentrations were 0.001% or lower, %CVS50 became 100. In the case of %CVS40/80, when the BAK concentrations were 0.002% or lower, the values reached 75 or more, and when 0.0005% or lower, the %CVS40/80 value reached 100. Accordingly, BAK induced very low cytotoxicity in the cultured ocular cell lines at concentrations of 0.002% or lower. The concentration-dependency confirmed that the CVS score is useful for expressing drug cytotoxicity in a simple and comprehensive manner.     

Cytotoxicity of flavones and flavonols to a human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line (KYSE-510) by induction of G2/M arrest and apoptosis

In this study, cytotoxic effects of structurally related flavones and flavonols on a human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell line (KYSE-510) were determined, and the molecular mechanisms responsible for their cytotoxic effects were studied. The results of MTT assay showed that flavones (luteolin, apigenin, chrysin) and flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin) were able to induce cytotoxicity in KYSE-510 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and the cytotoxic potency of these compounds was in the order of: luteolin > quercetin > chrysin > kaempferol > apigenin > myricetin. Flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation analysis indicated that the cytotoxicity induced by flavones and flavonols was mediated by G₂/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Furthermore, the expression of genes related to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis was assessed by oligonucleotide microarray, real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. It was shown that the treatment of KYSE-510 cells with these compounds caused G₂/M arrest through up-regulation of p21^waf1 and down-regulation of cyclin B1 at the mRNA and protein levels, and induced p53-independent mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis through up-regulation of PIG3 and cleavage of caspase-9 and caspase-3. The results of western blot analysis further showed that increases of p63 and p73 protein translation or stability might be contributed to the regulation of p21^waf1, cyclin B1 and PIG3.     

Anisomycin suppresses Jurkat T cell growth by the cell cycle-regulating proteins

BackgroundRecent studies have shown that anisomycin significantly inhibits mammalian cell proliferation, but its mechanism remains unclear. In this study, Jurkat T cells were used to first explore a relationship between effect of anisomycin on them and alteration of cell cycle-regulating proteins.MethodsCell colony formation, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, RT-PCR and western blot were employed to evaluate correlation of ten cell cycle-regulating proteins with suppression of the cell proliferation and arrest of the cell cycle by anisomycin.ResultsOur data showed that anisomycin inhibited the colony-formation and proliferation of Jurkat T cells in a dose-dependent manner, and arrested the cells into S and G2/M phases with the production of sub-diploid cells. The levels of P21, P-P27 and P53/P-P53 reached their peaks 4 h after anisomycin treatment, presenting a positive correlation with anisomycin concentration, and P16, P-P21, P27, P57, P73/P-P73 and P-Rb changed little with the prolonged exposure time or increased concentrations of anisomycin. But the level of Rb protein was increased at 24 h after the treatment of anisomycin. The expression of an inverted CCAAT box binding protein (ICBP90) in Jurkat T cells came to decrease 12 h after the treatment of anisomycin, presenting a negative correlation with anisomycin concentration. Subsequently, the expression of P-CDK2 was also decreased at 24 h, presenting an obviously negative correlation, whereas P-CDK1 showed no differences among the differently treated Jurkat T cells. Furthermore, the level of P21 and P53 mRNA was increased with the enhanced concentrations of anisomycin.ConclusionThe results indicate that anisomycin may activate the P53/P21/P27 signaling to decrease the expression of ICBP90, inhibit expression of P-CDK2 to block the cells into S and G2/M phases, and finally result in proliferation inhibition of Jurkat T cells.     

Cytotoxic activity of sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells

The benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid sanguinarine has been studied for its antiproliferative activity in many cell types. Almost nothing however, is known about the cytotoxic effects of dihydrosanguinarine, a metabolite of sanguinarine. We compared the cytotoxicity of sanguinarine and dihydrosanguinarine in human leukemia HL-60 cells. Sanguinarine produced a dose-dependent decline in cell viability with IC₅₀ (inhibitor concentration required for 50% inhibition of cell viability) of 0.9 μM as determined by MTT assay after 4 h exposure. Dihydrosanguinarine showed much less cytotoxicity than sanguinarine: at the highest concentration tested (20 μM) and 24 h exposure, dihydrosanguinarine decreased viability only to 52%. Cytotoxic effects of both alkaloids were accompanied by activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway since we observed the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, induction of caspase-9 and -3 activities, the appearance of sub-G₁ DNA and loss of plasma membrane asymmetry. This aside, sanguinarine also increased the activity of caspase-8. As shown by flow cytometry using annexin V/propidium iodide staining, 0.5 μM sanguinarine induced apoptosis while 1–4 μM sanguinarine caused necrotic cell death. In contrast, dihydrosanguinarine at concentrations from 5 μM induced primarily necrosis, whereas apoptosis occurred at 10 μM and above. We conclude that both alkaloids may cause, depending on the alkaloid concentration, both necrosis and apoptosis of HL-60 cells.     

Nano-SiO2 induces apoptosis via activation of p53 and Bax mediated by oxidative stress in human hepatic cell line

Nanoparticles such as nano-SiO₂ are increasingly used in food, cosmetics, diagnosis, imaging and drug delivery. However, toxicological data of nano-SiO₂ on hepatic cells in vitro and their detailed molecular mechanisms still remain unclear. In order to assess toxicity of nano-SiO₂, L-02 cells were exposed to 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/ml of SiO₂ colloids (21, 48 and 86 nm) for 12, 24, 36 and 48 h. Lactate dehydrogenase released from damaged cells were quantified, cellular ultrastructural organization was observed, and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and glutathione were measured. Apoptosis induced by 21 nm SiO₂ was characterized by annexin V-FITC/PI staining and DNA ladder assay. Furthermore, apoptosis related proteins such as p53, Bax and Bcl-2 were analyzed by using western blot analysis. Our data indicated that nano-SiO₂ caused cytotoxicity in size, dose and time dependent manners. Oxidative stress and apoptosis were induced by exposure to 21 nm SiO₂. Moreover, the expression of p53 and Bax was increased in time and dose dependent patterns, whereas the expression of Bcl-2 was not significantly changed. In conclusion, ROS-mediated oxidative stress, the activation of p53 and up-regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio are involved in mechanistic pathways of 21 nm SiO₂ induced apoptosis in L-02 cells.