Development of a paper-based microanalysis device doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes for in vitro evaluation of fluorene cytotoxicity

Zhengcai Guo; Shi Zhou; Jinlian Li; Xiaoling Guo; Jiwen Cui; Dongmei Wu

doi:10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107552

Development of a paper-based microanalysis device doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes for in vitro evaluation of fluorene cytotoxicity

Bioelectrochemistry. 2020 Oct:135:107552. doi: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107552. Epub 2020 May 12.

Authors

Zhengcai Guo¹, Shi Zhou¹, Jinlian Li¹, Xiaoling Guo², Jiwen Cui³, Dongmei Wu⁴

Affiliations

¹ Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Evaluation of the Efficacy of Toxicology, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, Heilongjiang, China.
² Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Evaluation of the Efficacy of Toxicology, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, Heilongjiang, China. Electronic address: guoxiaoling2004@126.com.
³ Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Evaluation of the Efficacy of Toxicology, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, Heilongjiang, China. Electronic address: cjwhljjms@163.com.
⁴ Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Evaluation of the Efficacy of Toxicology, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi 154007, Heilongjiang, China. Electronic address: dmwu@jmsu.edu.cn.

PMID: 32526678
DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107552

Abstract

Developing a cost-effective and simple micro-analysis tool has long been an important objective in the toxicological detection of fluorene. In this study, a disposable paper-based micro-analysis device (μ-PAD) was designed using graphite doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to hand draw the electrode (MWCNTs/μ-PAD). We investigated the feasibility of the designed MWCNTs/μ-PAD as a cell-sensing platform using voltammetry measurements. Its application for evaluating the cytotoxicity of fluorene was studied based on the electrochemical determination of human breast cancer cells induced by fluorene. The results showed a dose-dependent toxicity effect of fluorene on cellular activity. The measurements were comparable with those obtained using a methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium assay. The detection limit of the MWCNTs/μ-PAD for human breast cancer cells was as low as 4.00 × 10³ cells·mL^-1 owing to the enhanced catalytic activity of the MWCNTs. Notably, the MWCNTs/μ-PAD-which had a diameter of 7.00 mm-allowed a sampling volume of 10.0 μL, which is 50.0 times less than the sampling volume required with a conventional electrode (500 μL). Advantages such as the simplicity of manufacture, low consumption, low cost, rapid detection, and disposability, suggest that the MWCNTs/μ-PAD could provide new opportunities and directions for in vitro microanalysis.

Keywords: Cytotoxicity; Disposability; Fluorene; Microanalysis device.

MeSH terms

Breast Neoplasms / pathology
Cell Survival / drug effects*
Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / instrumentation*
Fluorenes / toxicity*
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Microscopy, Atomic Force
Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
Paper*
Surface Properties

Substances

Fluorenes
Nanotubes, Carbon
fluorene