Influence of short-term iodinated radiographic contrast media exposure on reactive oxygen species levels in K562 cancer cells

Abstract

Background: Iodinated radiographic contrast media (IRCM) are commonly used for evaluating cancer diseases in diagnostic radiology. There are several studies that have showed the effects of IRCMs on various biological endpoints in normal cells. However, the effects of IRCMs on cancer cells is still a bit of a mystery. Objectives: To investigate the effects of short-term iodinated radiographic contrast media exposure on reactive oxygen species levels in K562 cancer cells. Materials and methods: Five commercially available IRCMs used were iohexol, iopamidol, iobitridol, ioxaglate, and iodixanol. A trypan blue exclusion assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of each IRCMs on K562 cancer cells. The effect of IRCMs on cell proliferation was further determined by counting the number of cells in metaphase. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was determined at short-term by the use of a spectrofluorometric method. Results: All IRCMs decreased in percentage of cell viability, number of metaphase cells, and levels of ROS in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: This study suggested that all IRCMs showed a short-term effect on K562 cancer cells by decreasing ROS levels in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, IRCMs exhibited effect on cell viability and cell proliferation as well.

Keywords

• Iodinated radiographic contrast media
• Reactive oxygen species
• K562
• DNA damage
• Oxidative stress