Human adipose-derived stem cells obtained from lipoaspirates are highly susceptible to hydrogen peroxide mediated cytogenotoxicity
There is evidence that H2O2 can induce the proliferation, migration, and regeneration of stem cells, as well as that of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). This could be useful to expand the possible uses of ASCs in therapeutic applications. However, the safety profile of H2O2 use in stem cells is not clear yet. Therefore, the present study evaluated the acute cytotoxic, oxidative and genotoxic effects of different concentrations of H2O2 on ASCs obtained from human lipoaspirates. The ASCs were treated with 1–1000 μM H2O2 for two hours. Cell viability was evaluated by double-strand DNA determination. Apoptosis induction was analyzed measuring active levels of caspases 1, 3 and 8. Biochemical oxidative stress markers were analyzed and genotoxic effects were assessed by DNA comet assay. All H2O2 concentrations increased ASC mortality rates with approximately 100% mortality achieved at ≥ 200 μM. Active caspases 1, 3 and 8, oxidative stress, as well as oxidative damage as assessed by lipid peroxidation increased dose‐dependently. There was also an approximate 50% increase in catalase levels in cells exposed to all H2O2 tested concentrations. H2O2 concentrations of ≥ 10 μM were genotoxic. These results suggest that ASCs are highly sensitive to H2O2 exposition. In addition, DNA damage in the surviving cells may affect their proliferative and differentiation capacity, as well as their safety profile for therapeutic use.