Neodymium Oxide Induces Cytotoxicity and Activates NF-κB and Caspase-3 in NR8383 Cells

We investigated whether Nd 2 O 3 treatment results in cytotoxicity and other underlying effects in rat NR8383 alveolar macrophages. Cell viability assessed by the MTT assay revealed that Nd 2 O 3 was toxic in a dose-dependent manner, but not in a time-dependent manner. An ELISA analysis indicated that exposure to Nd 2 O 3 caused cell damage and enhanced synthesis and release of inflammatory chemokines. A Western blot analysis showed that protein expression levels of caspase-3, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and its inhibitor IκB increased significantly in response to Nd 2 O 3 treatment. Both NF-κB and caspase-3 signaling were activated, suggesting that both pathways are involved in Nd 2 O 3 cytotoxicity.