In vitro toxicity evaluation of graphene oxide on human RPMI 8226 cells

This study had investigated the possible toxicity of graphene oxide and its mechanisms on multiple myeloma cells (RPMI 8226 cells) using flow cytometry and a multifunctional microplate reader. RPMI 8226 cells were cultured with various concentrations of graphene oxide, then cell viability, malondialdehyde, glutathione and apoptosis were measured. We found that graphene oxide dose-dependently reduced the viability of human multiple myeloma RPMI 8226 cells. We also found that the intracellular levels of malondialdehyde increased, whereas the levels of glutathione decreased dose-dependently. There was no obvious change in the cell apoptosis rate compared with the control group. In summary, graphene oxide is dose-dependently cytotoxic to cultured RPMI 8226 cells, and its toxicity is closely associated with increased oxidative stress.