Role of iron-mediated free-radical generation in asbestos-induced cytotoxicity

While the in vitro toxicity of mineral fibres is largely determined by the number of long thin fibres present, there are a number of contradictory reports in the literature as to whether the production of oxygen free radicals is also involved and whether the addition of antioxidants or radical scavengers can ameliorate or prevent asbestos-induced cytotoxicity. We report here that crocidolite and other types of amphibole asbestos are less toxic to two cell lines in low oxygen concentrations. The treatment of these fibres with the iron chelator Desferral also reduced the toxicity of the amphiboles. The activity of chrysotile asbestos was not affected by oxygen tension and the cytotoxic effects of Desferral and chrysotile were additive.