Objective: To investigate the effects of atrazine (ATZ) on function of peritoneal macrophages in vitro, and to provide data for its immunotoxicity evaluation.
Methods: The murine peritoneal macrophages were isolated from mice. After treated with ATZ at different doses, cells viability was detected by MTT assay, and phagocytosis was evaluated by neutral red absorption. NO and TNF-α release were detected with nitrate reductase method and ELISA method, respectively. ROS was measured by DCFH-DA and flow cytometry.
Results: The IC50 values of the peritoneal macrophages for the MTT assay were (887.4 ± 1.11), (360.2 ± 1.13) and (270.6 ± 1.20) μmol/L after 24, 48 and 72 h. While for the NR absorption were (214.2 ± 1.14), (120.0 ± 1.10) and (42.60 ± 1.12) μmol/L. After dosed for 24 h and 72 h, the NO release of low dose groups were higher than those of the controls, while the NO release of high dose groups showed a downward trend when compared with the control's. After treatment for 72 h, the TNF-α secretion of low dose groups (0.01, 0.1 μmol/L) were significantly higher than that of the control (P < 0.05), and TNF-α secretion in the other groups were lower when compared with that of the control (P < 0.05). After exposure for 24 h or 72 h, the ROS release was promoted in both 0.01 and 1 μmol/L ATZ groups (P < 0.05), however, the ROS release were lowered in the 100 μmol/L ATZ group.
Conclusion: ATZ can affect the cells viability and phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages. Meanwhile the TNF-α secretion, NO release as well as ROS release are disturbed in peritoneal macrophages exposed to ATZ.