Abstract
In order to study the protection of beta-carotene and vitamin C against the transformation of human lung fibroblasts (HLF) cell induced by nickel sesquioxide, HLF cells were treated repeatedly by different concentrations of Ni2O3 in vitro. beta-carotene (5.4 mg/L) and vitamin C(1.8 mg/L) were added into the media containing Ni2O3(1.0 mg/L) respectively. The identification of malignancy of the transformation of HLF cell was carried out by the tests of ConA and the growth on semisolid agar culture. The results showed that Ni2O3 could induce the malignant transformation of HLF cell. The transformed cell proliferated rapidly. The transformed colonies exhibited in extensively random orientation and the cells were crossingover. The frequency of transformation showed a dose-response relation at the experimental concentrations. The transformed cell could be agglutinated by lower concentration of ConA and could grow in semisolid agar. The frequencies of transformation of HLF cell exposed to beta-carotene and vitamin C were decreased significantly. The cells could not be agglutinated by ConA and not grow in semisolid agar. It was concluded that Ni2O3 could induce strongly the malignant transformation of HLF cell and might be carcinogenic to human. The protection of beta-carotene and vitamin C on the transformation of HLF cell induced by Ni2O3 was observed. The increase of foods riched in beta-carotene and vitamin C was suggested for workers exposed to nickel.
