Particulate air pollution with particle diameters less than 2.5μm contribute to respiratory and extra-respiratory morbidity and mortality. We have recently reported the first in vivo experimental evidence that
Diesel exhaust particles (
DEP) in the lung aggravated the renal, pulmonary, and systemic effects of
cisplatin (CP)-induced
acute renal failure in rats. This in vitro study sought to determine whether and to what extent does
DEP exposure exacerbate the effects of CP-induced oxidative stress in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells, and to examine if these effects could be mitigated/prevented with
curcumin (the yellow pigment isolated from turmeric). Cells viability,
cysteine uptake and oxidative stress indices [
glutathione (GSH), total
antioxidant capacity (TAC), and the activities of
antioxidant enzymes (
catalase;
glutathione peroxidase;
superoxide dismutase)] were evaluated in all study groups.
DEP aggravated the CP- induced HEK-293 cells toxicity, as evidenced by decreasing cell viability and by inducing oxidative stress (GSH depletion, TAC impairment, and
antioxidant enzymes inhibition).
DEP, but not CP, significantly reduced
cysteine uptake.
Curcumin prevented the observed
DEP and CP-induced cellular insults. These findings suggest that
DEP augmented the CP-induced toxicity in HEK-293 cells.
Curcumin exhibited a strong potential for protection against
DEP and CP-induced cytotoxicity.