Objective To observe the apoptosis of cultured neurons from neonatal mice induced by nano-aluminum oxide (Al2O3) particles with different sizes in vitro.
Methods Cultured neurons of neonatal mice were treated with nanoaluminum oxide at same doses but with different sizes. The morphological changes of neurons were observed under trans mission electron microscopy with acridine orange (AO)/ethidium bromide (EB) double staining. The cell viability was examined with cell counting kit (CCK-8) assay. The collapses of mitochondrial trans membrane potential (ΔΨm) were measured using Rhodamine123 staining to detect the undergoing apoptosis and the apoptosis rates were checked by flow cytometry.
Results After ultrasonic for 10 min, the nanoparticles were uniformly dispered with their particle sizes less than 100 nm under an electron microscopy both prior to and after standing. After being exposed to nano-alumina, the morphology of neurons changed obviously. With the decrease of nanoparticle size, the apoptosis rates and the ΔΨm loss increased significantly.
Conclusion Nanoalumina particles may induce apoptosis in primarily cultured mice neurons. In addition, the particle size of nano-alumina may influence the apoptosis rate.
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