[In vitro exposure of U937 cells to potassium dichromate: study of apoptosis]

The aim of our study is to evaluate the genotoxic damage of cells treated with different concentrations of potassium dichromate. For this reason we have utilised U937 cells, a cellular line derived from acute promyelocytic leukaemia. Our results show that the minimum concentration of potassium dichromate induces apoptosis in the U937 cells and is of 600 microM, already after 12 hours, the cells treated with potassium dichromate with a concentration of 500 microM presented an apoptosis of 27% while the respective control showed a base apoptosis of 9.5%. Our experimental data indicate that the model adopted by us, may be a valid instrument to study the cytotoxic effects of compounds containing Chromium. In particular we have evidenced a clear genotoxic effect of these compounds demonstrated by a significant increase of the apoptosis percentage which is time and dose dependent.