Effects of potassium dichromate on the cell cycle of an established human cell line (NHIK 3025).

The effect of K2Cr2O7 exposure on the cell cycle phases of the human cell line NHIK 3025 has been studied. Inhibition of cell proliferation was found to depend on the concentration and length of exposure. An effect on cell proliferation was observed 6-9 h after addition of K2Cr2O7, whereas cell death was not observed until 3-4 days later. The cells were most sensitive in G2 phase. After exposure to 8 mumol/l K2Cr2O7 the greatest prolongation of the cell cycle was in G2 + M phase, but an increase of S phase was also observed. No prolongation of G1 phase could be measured. Our results thus indicate that K2Cr2O7 delays progression through the cell cycle.