Nanoparticles of barium induce apoptosis in human phagocytes.
PURPOSE
Nutrients and immunological factors of breast milk are essential for newborn growth and the development of their immune system, but this secretion can contain organic and inorganic toxins such as barium. Colostrum contamination with barium is an important issue to investigate because this naturally occurring element is also associated with human activity and industrial pollution. The study evaluated the administration of barium nanoparticles to colostrum, assessing the viability and functional activity of colostral mononuclear phagocytes.


METHODS
Colostrum was collected from 24 clinically healthy women (aged 18-35 years). Cell viability, superoxide release, intracellular Ca(2+) release, and phagocyte apoptosis were analyzed in the samples.


RESULTS
Treatment with barium lowered mononuclear phagocyte viability, increased superoxide release, and reduced intracellular calcium release. In addition, barium increased cell death by apoptosis.


CONCLUSION
These data suggest that nanoparticles of barium in colostrum are toxic to cells, showing the importance of avoiding exposure to this element.
['Mores|Luana|L|', 'França|Eduardo Luzia|EL|', 'Silva|Núbia Andrade|NA|', 'Suchara|Eliane Aparecida|EA|', 'Honorio-França|Adenilda Cristina|AC|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D017209:Apoptosis D001464:Barium D002118:Calcium D002470:Cell Survival D002478:Cells, Cultured D003126:Colostrum D005260:Female D005434:Flow Cytometry D006801:Humans D053758:Nanoparticles D010586:Phagocytes D011247:Pregnancy D013481:Superoxides D055815:Young Adult
colostrum barium chloride immune cells immunotoxicology intracellular Ca2+