The effect of acrylamide and nitric oxide donors on human mesenchymal progenitor cells

We have examined the effects of nitric oxide donors and acrylamide on mesenchymal progenitor cell (hMPC) viability, programmed cell death (PCD) and differentiation. Acrylamide was examined at 0.5 mM and 1.5 mM concentrations, NOC-18 at 10 mu M and SNP at 100 mu M. Cell viability was assayed with MTS, PCD was determined by phosphatidylserine, caspase-9 and -3/7 and mitochondrial membrane potential assays, and osteogenic cell differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and mRNA levels for collagen type I, bone sialoprotein, ostepontin and osteocalcin. Serum-free hMPC cultures treated with 1.5 mM acrylamide and SNP for 72 h demonstrated reduced viability. PCD analyses revealed that SNP stimulated cells to necrosis in reactive species-dependent manner. Acrylamide (1.5 mM) led to apoptosis independent of reactive species. Acrylamide and SNP reduced ALP activity and collagen type I mRNA levels but mRNA levels for bone sialoprotein and osteopontin increased in SNP treated cells and remained unchanged in acrylamide. Acrylamide had no effect on guanylate cyclase and cGMP osteogenic signaling pathway. The study suggests that acrylamide might impair bone development and remodeling upon acute or prolonged intoxication with this compound of mesenchymal cells. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.