Anti-proliferative and genotoxic effects of arsenic and lead on human cells in vitro

Rapid industrialization and anthropogenic activities are main cause of environmental pollution, leading to an alarming situation. Both arsenic and lead are very dangerous to human health as exposure to these metal results in several abnormalities. In the present study, toxic effects of arsenic and lead were tested on HeLa cells. Cells were exposed to different concentrations of arsenic and lead and anti-proliferative response was tested using neutral red uptake assay. Comet assay was conducted to test the effect of arsenic and lead on DNA. Change in morphology and death of cells was observed after exposure to both metals. Comets were observed in the case of treated samples giving an indication of DNA damage. Ten different comet parameters were investigated for control and heavy metals treated samples. Present study clearly demonstrates that both arsenic and lead have anti-proliferative effect on HeLa cells and they also cause DNA damage. Overall, effects of arsenic exposure were more severe as compared to lead. © 2014, Korean Society of Environmental Risk Assessment and Health Science and Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.