The use of nanostructured metal oxides for directional pH changes of tumor cells microenvironment

Purpose of the study: to establish the effect of acid-base characteristics of alumina and/or magnesium oxide nanostructures on their antitumor activity (in vitro experiments). Material and methods. the alumina and/or magnesium oxide nanostructures with various acid-base surface characteristics were obtained by the hydrolysis of metal alkoxides. the morphology of nanostructures was investigated by transmission electron microscopy with an integrated system of energy dispersive analysis. the phase composition of the particles was determined byX-ray diffraction. the effect of the synthesized nanostructures on the viability of cell lines was determined using the MTT test (cell cultures of MDA, PyMX Neuro-2a). Results. in present work we report the preparation of AIOOH, MgO, AIOOH /MgO nanostructures that inhibit the growth of tumor cells. MgO nanostructures inhibit cell growth better than AIOOH nanostructures. it was showed that the main factors determining antitumor activity of nanostructures are the acid-base properties of their surface. All synthesized nanostructures raised the pH of the cell culture medium: MgO - up to 9.4, AIOOH - up to 7.7, AIOOH / MgO -up to 8.8. We observed the same number of viable cells incubated in a cell medium containing nanostructures and cells incubated in medium at an elevated pH value (using NaOH). the results of the study can be used to obtain new materials that can change the acidity of the tumor cells microenvironment for anticancer therapy. Conclusion. It was shown that the main factors determining the antitumor activity of nanostructures are the acid-base properties of the surface. this approach can be used to produce new materials that can change the acidity of the tumor cells microenvironment.