JIST

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: Zinc is an essential micronutrient responsible for cellular homeostasis and functioning. Exposure to elevated zinc levels leads to neurological disorders such as brain ischemia, trauma and epileptic seizures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cellular mechanisms affected by high zinc exposure both in vitro (using C6 glioma cells) and in vivo (Caenorhabditis elegans) systems.

Materials and methods: Survival and mitochondrial integrity of C6 cells were measured by MTT assay with control and Zinc-exposed cells. Microscopic analysis following Giemsa staining was performed to assess the nature of cell death. Chemotaxis assay was performed with age-synchronized adult C. elegans using 2-Nonanone.

Results: Our results from the in vitro studies indicate that progressively increasing levels of zinc exposure affects cell survival and proliferation of C6 cells, with changes in cellular morphology, mitochondrial dysfunction and induction of reactive oxygen species