Combined Effects between Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Cigarette Smoke on Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

To evaluate the combined cytotoxicity effects between functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-PC) and cigarette smoke solution (CSS), 16-HBE cells was used as the target cells and exposed to various concentrations of MWCNTs-PC and CSS combined together. Cell proliferation, cell apoptosis, DNA damage were detected by Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, flow cytometry, single cell gel electrophoresis assay (SCGE) and micronuclear assay, respectively. The dose-dependent cytotoxic and genetic effects of CSS were found in our study. However, compared to the control group, the MWCNTs-PC exposed groups showed no significant difference in all concentration, with or without CSS exposure. It suggests that the MWCNTs-PC did not influence cellular toxicity or DNA damage of CSS on 16-HBE cells. No combined cytotoxic effects between NWCNTs-PC and CSS were found in this study.