Abstract:

Local acetaldehyde exposure from alcohol drinking and smoking is a major factor behind different diseases including
cancers. Thus, decreasing the production or eliminating acetaldehyde locally might offer a preventive strategy against acetaldehydeinduced
cancers. In this study, the influence of acetaldehyde on the cell proliferation and intracellular antioxidants of non small cell
lung cancer A549 cells including the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutases (SOD) activity and nitric
oxide (NO) content was investigated. The protection effect of L-cysteine on A549 cells was also studied. Our results showed that
the cytotoxicity of acetaldehyde on A549 cell growth was dose-dependent. This acetaldehyde-induced cytotoxicity was inhibited
by L-cysteine within the concentration range of 0—160 μmol/L. In addition, the antioxidant status was enhanced. Increasing
L-cysteine concentration led to a reduction in LDH activity and NO content but an increase in SOD activity.

Key words: acetaldehyde, L-cysteine, antioxidant, A549 cell