THE VIABILITY OF OVARIAN CARCINOMA CELLS A2780 AFFECTED BY TITANIUM DIOXIDE NANOPARTICLES AND LOW ULTRASOUND INTENSITY

Abstract

The effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and ultrasound was studied on human ovarian carcinoma cells A2780 in vitro. The viability of cells has been studied by a standard 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide viability assay in different modes of treatment: application of nanoparticles alone, exposure to ultrasound field alone, application of nanoparticles followed by an exposure to ultrasound, and an exposure to ultrasound followed by addition of nanoparticles. The viability was measured 48 and 72 hours after the exposure. The titanium dioxide nanoparticles used were smaller than 100 nm in diameter, ultrasound was applied at a therapeutical intensity of 1 W·cm-2 and frequency of 1 MHz; the cells were treated in a 37 °C thermostated water bath in a configuration with far field ultrasound exposure. The final concentration of titanium dioxide nanoparticles was 50 μg/mL. The results showed that a combined effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and ultrasound influenced the viability of human carcinoma cells more than the application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles or ultrasound alone. The outcomes showed a significant difference between experimental groups with different sequences of application or exposure of nanoparticles or ultrasound. Maximal decrease of viability was achieved by application of experimental protocol with exposure to ultrasound first, followed by application of nanoparticles. It seems to indicate the possibility to intensify the effect of nanoparticles on cell viability by previous ultrasound exposure.