NPs-TiO₂ and Lincomycin Coexposure Induces DNA Damage in Cultured Human Amniotic Cells

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NPs-TiO₂ or TiO₂-NPs) have been employed in many commercial products such as medicines, foods and cosmetics. TiO₂-NPs are able to carry antibiotics to target cells enhancing the antimicrobial efficiency; so that these nanoparticles are generally used in antibiotic capsules, like lincomycin, added as a dye. Lincomycin is usually used to treat pregnancy bacterial vaginosis and its combination with TiO₂-NPs arises questions on the potential effects on fetus health. This study investigated the potential impact of TiO₂-NPs and lincomycin co-exposure on human amniocytes in vitro. Cytotoxicity was evaluated with trypan blue vitality test, while genotoxic damage was performed by Comet Test, Diffusion Assay and RAPD-PCR for 48 and 72 exposure hours. Lincomycin exposure produced no genotoxic effects on amniotic cells, instead, the TiO₂-NPs exposure induced genotoxicity. TiO₂-NPs and lincomycin co-exposure caused significant increase of DNA fragmentation, apoptosis and DNA damage in amniocytes starting from 48 exposure hours. These results contribute to monitor the use of TiO₂-NPs combined with drugs in medical application. The potential impact of antibiotics with TiO₂-NPs during pregnancy could be associated with adverse effects on embryo DNA. The use of nanomaterials in drugs formulation should be strictly controlled in order to minimize risks.