GENOTOXIC MECHANISMS OF ARSENIC TRIOXIDE IN HUMAN JURKAT T-LYMPHOMA CELLS.

Arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)) has cytotoxic effects on several cancer cell lines. However, the molecular mechanisms of action remain to be elucidated. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by As(2)O(3) in a human Jurkat T-lymphoma cell line using the trypan blue exclusion test and alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assays, respectively. Jurkat T-cells were treated with different doses of As(2)O(3) for 24 and 48 h prior to cytogenetic assessment. Data obtained from the trypan blue exclusion test indicated that As(2)O(3) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the viability of Jurkat T-cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Data generated from the comet assay also indicated a significant dose and time-dependent increase in DNA damage in Jurkat T-cells associated with As(2)O(3) exposure. We observed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in comet tail-length, tail arm and tail moment, as well as in percentages of DNA cleavage at all doses tested, showing an evidence As(2)O(3) -induced genotoxic damage in Jurkat T-cells. This study confirms that the comet assay is a sensitive and effective method to detect DNA damage caused by heavy metals such as arsenic. Taken together, our findings suggest that As(2)O(3) exposure significantly (p < 0.05) reduces cellular viability and induces DNA damage in human Jurkat T-lymphoma cells.