Inactivation of nanocrystalline C sub(60) cytotoxicity by gamma -irradiation

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 27; no. 29; pp. 5049 - 5058
• Main Authors: Isakovic, Aleksandra, Markovic, Zoran, Nikolic, Nadezda, Todorovic-Markovic, Biljana, Vranjes-Djuric, Sanja, Harhaji, Ljubica, Raicevic, Nevena, Romcevic, Nebojsa, Vasiljevic-Radovic, Dana, Dramicanin, Miroslav, Trajkovic, Vladimir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2006
• ISSN: 0142-9612
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2006.05.047

We investigated the effect of gamma -irradiation on the cytotoxicity of pure C sub(60) solubilized in water by using tetrahydrofuran (THF/n-C sub(60) or THF/n-C sub(60)). In contrast to THF/n-C sub(60), its gamma -irradiated counterpart failed to generate oxygen radicals and cause extracellular signal- regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent necrotic cell death in various types of mammalian cells. Moreover, gamma -irradiated THF/n-C sub(60) protected cells from the oxidative stress induced by native THF/n-C sub(60) or hydrogen peroxide. The observed biological effects were associated with gamma - irradiation-mediated decomposition of THF and subsequent derivatization of the n-C sub(60) surface. These results for the first time demonstrate gamma - irradiation-mediated changes in the physico-chemical properties of THF-prepared nanocrystalline C sub(60), resulting in a complete loss of its cytotoxic effect and its conversion to a cytoprotective agent.