Abstract
The role of biomembranes in the chronic toxicity of environmentally occurring chromium acetate hydroxide was investigated by using primary human fibroplasts. Transport of chromium acetate hydroxide across the plasma membrane of the cell, and the effects of chromium (III) ions on the plasma membrane as well as othher intracellular membranes, were determined during six weeks of continous exposure by using atomic absorption spectrometry, observation of cell morphology, membrane integrity assays (for lactate dehydrogenase leakage and lysosomal membrane disruption), and mitochondrial assays (for mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity and mitochondrial transmembrane potential analysis).
The type of cell death induced by long-term exposure was determined in terms of phosphatidylserine externalisation, caspase-3 activation, and chromatin fragmentation.