Abstract:

Objective: To examine the effect of acrylamide (AA) on cell growth and progesterone synthesis in rat R2C cells.
Methods: R2C cells were treated with AA at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 4 and 6 mmol/L, respectively. Three
inhibitory concentrations (IC25, IC50 and IC75) were determined by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium
bromide) assay. Cell morphology was observed after being stimulated by the three inhibitory concentrations of AA for 24 h.
DNA damage in R2C cells was measured by comet assay. The amounts of progesterone biosynthesis after being exposured
to AA for 4 h and 24 h were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: AA could inhibit the cell viability. The IC25,
IC50 and IC75 were determined to be 1.140, 1.925 and 3.250 mmol/L, respectively. At these three concentrations, AA could
affect cell morphology to different extends. DNA was significantly damaged at three concentrations of AA for 4 h, whereas
the progesterone levels were significantly reduced after being exposed to AA for 24 h. Conclusion: AA can inhibit the cell
growth and reduce the progesterone synthesis of R2C cells.

Key words: acrylamide, R2C cell, cell activity, DNA damage, progesterone