Kim, Y HKim, K SKwak, N JLee, K HKweon, S ALim, Y2003-02-122009-06-012003-02-122009-06-012003-02-12Kim YH, Kim KS, Kwak NJ, Lee KH, Kweon SA, Lim Y. Cytotoxicity of yellow sand in lung epithelial cells. Journal of Biosciences. 2003 Feb; 28(1): 77-81http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/110998The present study was carried out to observe the cytotoxicity of yellow sand in comparison with silica and titanium dioxide in a rat alveolar type II cell line (RLE-6TN). Yellow sand (China Loess) was obtained from the loess layer in the Gunsu Province of China. The mean particle diameter of yellow sand was about 0.003 +/- 0.001 mm. Major elements of yellow sand were Si(27.7 +/- 0.6%), Al(6.01 +/- 0.17%), and Ca(5.83 +/- 0.23%) in that order. Silica and yellow sand significantly decreased cell viability and increased [Ca2+]i. All three particles increased the generation of H2O2. TiO2 did not change Fenton activity, while silica induced a slight increase of Fenton activity. In contrast, yellow sand induced a significant increase of Fenton activity. Silica, yellow sand and TiO2 induced significant nitrite formations in RLE-6TN cells. Silica showed the highest increase in nitrite formation, while yellow sand induced the least formation of nitrite. Silica and yellow sand increased the release of TNF-a. Based on these results, we suggest that yellow sand can induce cytotoxicity in RLE-6TN cells and reactive oxygen species, Fenton activity and reactive nitrogen species might be involved in this toxicity.engAluminum --chemistryAnimalsCalcium --analysisCell LineCell Survival --drug effectsCulture Media, Conditioned --chemistryEpithelial Cells --drug effectsHydrogen Peroxide --analysisLung --cytologyMacrophages, Alveolar --drug effectsNitrites --analysisParticle SizeRatsSilicon --chemistrySilicon Dioxide --chemistryTitanium --adverse effectsTumor Necrosis Factor-alpha --drug effectsComparative Study