The development of a new culture model to study the toxicity of polymers

Toxicity and biocompability of polymers, which are used different area in medicine, are examined in vivo and in vitro cell culture models. Current cell culture methods are not sufficient always as they are not sensitive, they are expensive, labour-intensive and time-consuming.Therefore, the aim of the study is to develop a new, more sensitive, easy and cost-effective culture model to test toxicity, biocompability as well as for understanding of polymer- infection interactions.Experiments were done in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7), mouse fibroblast cell (L929) and newly suggested Leishmania promastigot culture (Ep39). Polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyethylen glicol (PEG) have different molecular weight and concentrations were used. Cell morpholgy was observed on the microscope and cell viability was examined with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Statistical analysis was done SPSS software (student?s T-test).Results have indicated that PAA toxicity is related to concentration in all culture models as well as Ep39 and PEG was non-toxic in all culture models with all concentration rates that have been examined. Moreover, polymer toxicity has been observed on Ep39 cell culture by observing changes on movement of promastigotes with the addition of discrete concentrations of the polymer. It has been shown that toxicity of polymers can be analysed in a couple of hours rather than 48 hours with this method.In addition to polymer toxicity, interactions of polymers with possible protozoan infections in the body have been examined in newly suggested Ep39 culture model by observing changes in infectious agents. In Ep39 cells incubated with polymer for 48 hours, as well as MCF-7 and L-929, PAA in high concentrations showed toxic effect whereas increased incubation time with PAA Ep39 cells viability augmented compare to control group.It has been shown with this study first time that unicellular, eukaryotic and easiliy cultures leishmaina protozoans can be used in toxic and non-toxic polymer toxicity tests, it is possible to study of polymer toxicity faster with newl suggested culture method and also this suggested method differs than classic tissue culture methods as it can be used to determine interactions between polymers and enfectious agents prior to application.