Fig. 6
Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed in both HBE cells and in lung tissues treated with Al2O3 NPs. a JC-1 staining showed alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential. The left panel shows cells from control group indicating that only red fluorescence was observed. After treatment with 100 or 500 μg/ml Al2O3 NPs, increased green fluorescence and decreased red fluorescence were observed, which suggested collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential. CCCP was employed as positive control and demonstrated strong damages to mitochondrial membrane potential b) Cytochrome c is released from mitochondria, therefore, cytosol cytochrome c concentration was enhanced in HBE cells. Meanwhile ATP synthesis decreased in both HBE cells and lung tissues exposed to Al2O3 NPs. * P < 0.05, compared with untreated control, # P < 0.05, compared with positive control (CCCP)