Investigating the protective effect of vitamin C on the toxicity caused by arsenic trioxide (ATO)in normal fibroblast cells in vitro

Introduction: Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a chemotherapy drug used to treat certain types of blood cancer, suchas acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). ATO can also cause side toxicities on normal body cells, includingfibroblasts, which play an important role in wound healing and collagen production. ATO toxicity may lead tovarious tissue damage, inflammation, muscle failure, and reduced wound healing ability.Methods: The effects of two different concentrations of vitamin C (۱۰ and ۱۰۰ μM) were assessed on cellsurvival (MTT assay), mitochondrial membrane permeability (MMP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS)generation after ۲۴ and ۴۸ hours of exposure to As۲O۳. The Bradford assay determined the proteinconcentration after measuring ROS and MMP levels. The data obtained was analyzed using GraphPad Prismstatistical software (version ۸). The study was approved by the ethical committee of Hormozgan University ofMedical Sciences (IR.HUMS.REC.۱۴۰۲.۰۰۸).Results: The results showed that arsenic trioxide causes toxicity in normal fibroblast cells. On the other hand,exposure of cells to concentrations of ۱۰ and ۱۰۰ μM vitamin C increased cell viability and decreasedmitochondrial membrane potential. In the test, it was also found that in ۲۴ hours, vitamin C reduced theproduction of reactive oxygen radicals, but in ۴۸ hours, there was no significant decrease.Conclusion: This research has demonstrated that vitamin C exhibits strong antioxidant properties, enabling itto counteract oxidative stress and the harmful effects of substances such as arsenic trioxide. Nonetheless, themost effective dose and timing of vitamin C supplementation to achieve this outcome are yet to be accuratelydetermined and may differ based on individual health status and exposure levels.

کلیدواژه ها:

Arsenic trioxide ، Vitamin C ، Cell life ، Mitochondrial membrane potential ، Active oxygen radicals