Chromium chloride cytotoxicity and cytokines production in BALB/c cell line

The aim of this study was to examine the cytotoxic effect of the chromium chloride on mouse fibroblasts. The experiments were performed on the BALB/c 3T3 (mouse BALB/c embryo fibroblasts) cell line. The cell viability was measured by three tests: the MTT reduction, LDH release and Neutral Red uptake. The apoptosis was determined by photometric enzyme- immunoassay. Moreover, the IL-1 alpha and IL-6 concentration was determined. The present study showed that chromium chloride decreases cells viability (confirmed in three cell viability tests) after 24 h of incubation. The suggested mechanism of chromium action in mouse embryo fibroblasts can be presented as follows: the chromium in cells interacts first with mitochondria, then with cell membrane and finally with lysosomes. Moreover, the observed increase of mono- and oligonucleosomes in the cytoplasm of cells is caused by the fact that DNA degeneration occurs several hours before the plasma membrane breakdown. Moreover, chromium chloride increases IL-1 alpha and decreases IL-6 concentration secreted into the cell culture supernatant.