Cytotoxicity of iron (III), molybdenum (III), and their mixtures in BALB/3T3 and HepG2 cells

Introduction: Iron and molybdenum are essential trace elements for cell metabolism. They are involved in maintaining proper functions of enzymes, cell proliferation, and metabolism of DNA. Material and Methods: BALB/3T3 and HepG2 cells were incubated with iron chloride or molybdenum trioxide at concentrations from 100 to 1,400 mu M. The cells were also incubated in mixtures of iron chloride at 200 mu M plus molybdenum trioxide at 1,000 mu M or iron chloride at 1,000 mu M plus molybdenum trioxide at 200 mu M. Cell viability was determined with MTT reduction, LHD release, and NRU tests. Results: A decrease in cell viability was observed after incubating both cell lines with iron chloride or molybdenum trioxide. In cells incubated with mixtures of these trace elements, a decrease in cell viability was observed, assessed by all the used assays. Conclusions: Iron (III) and molybdenum (III) decrease cell viability in normal and cancer cells. A synergistic effect of the mixture of these elements was observed.