Crystalline Ni3S2 specifically enhances the formation of oxidants in the nuclei of CHO cells as detected by dichlorofluorescein.

Dichlorofluorescein (DCF) was used as a fluorescent probe to detect oxidants formed in cultured CHO cells during nickel treatment. Crystalline Ni3S2 specifically enhanced the formation of oxidants in the nuclei of these living cells, but Ni3S2 particles did not enhance DCF fluorescence as much when added in vitro to isolated nuclei. Our results add to the emerging concept that oxidants mediated by nickel compounds may play an important role in nickel-induced genotoxicity.