Abstract
Grafen is a new material that is expected to be used in the automobile, aerospace and electrical industries, in the manufacture of composite or packaging materials and many others. At present, we have only limited informatio about its potentially hazardous effects on the human organism.
The aim of this pilot study was to obtain data on the possible cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of two types of graphene platelets. A micronucleus test with cytokinesis blockade using 5.0 µg cytochalasin B per ml of cell suspension of THP-1 cells (2 * 105 cells/ml) was used to assess possible genotoxic potential.
Exposure to three concentrations (60, 30 and 5 µg/ml) of the two types of graphene platelets lasted 40 hours and took place in a controlled atmosphere incubator (5% CO2, 37 °C). Following a 30 hours culture with cytochalasin B.
Cytosine arabinoside at a final concentration of 5.0 and 20.0 ng/ml for 40 hours was used as a positive control. Based on the evaluation of the replication index and the Cytokinesis-Block Proliferation Index, no significant acute cytotoxicity was observed at either the graphene concentration or the highest cholate concentration (used to stabilize the graphene platalets suspension).
On the other hand, we observed genotoxic potential. With increasing concentration of graphene platelets, we noticed increasing incidence of not only micronuclei, but also nuclear buds and nucleoplasmic bridges.
Both types of graphene platelets shown possible genotoxic potential. Further experiments are needed to confirm or refute the genotoxic effect.