Protective effect of deferoxamine on chromium(VI)-induced DNA single-strand breaks, cytotoxicity, and lipid peroxidation in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

Incubation of primary cultures of rat hepatocytes with K₂Cr₂O₇ and deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator, resulted in a marked decrease in cellular levels of DNA single-strand breaks caused by K₂Cr₂O₇. Cellular treatment with DFO also suppressed both dichromate-induced cytotoxicity – evaluated by the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase, and lipid peroxidation – as monitored by malondialdehyde formation. In addition, treatment with DFO attenuated the suppression of the levels of vitamin E and C as well as the inhibition of alkaline phosphatase and glutathione peroxidase activity attributed to K₂Cr₂O₇. However, DFO had no influence on the cellular level of glutathione or the activity of glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase suppressed by dichromate. Under the same experimental conditions, cellular uptake and distribution of chromium were not affected by DFO. These results indicate that DFO protects cells from chromium(VI)-induced DNA strand breaks, cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, vitamin E and C depression, and glutathione peroxidase inhibition. The role of antioxidants in chromium(VI)-induced cytotoxicity, DNA breaks, and lipid peroxidation is discussed. Received: 17 September 1996 / Accepted: 25 November 1996