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Abstract The biological toxicity induced by the accumulation of ZnO nanoparticles in the body causes people's attention more and more. To study the genetoxic effect of ZnO nanoparticles with different concentrations on human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293), the human embryonic kidney cells were exposed to ZnO nanoparticles at the concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/L for 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively. The modified comet assay and micronucleus test were performed to research the effect of DNA and chromosomal damage. The results showed that the DNA damage of treated groups was more serious than that of the control. The tail moment, olive tail moment and tail DNA percentage were significantly increased with the rising of ZnO nanoparticles concentration, but the head DNA percentage was decreased. Micronucleus assay showed that the micronuclear rates increased. The result showed that ZnO nanoparticles had the genotoxicity effect on HEK293 cells in vitro, leading to DNA and chromosomal damage. This study provides a scientific basis for evaluating the safty exposure to ZnO nanoparticles.
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Received: 04 August 2011
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