Abstract

Uranium-induced nephrotoxicity is a major health concern and countering it is essential. In this regard; a β-glucan type exopolysaccharide produced by Enterobacter sp. YG4 was tested for its capacity to reduce the uranyl nitrate-induced cytotoxicity in Human embryonic kidney cell line (HEK 293T). This exopolysaccharide at 0.5 mg/mL concentration was able to remove 80.94% of uranyl ions from its aqueous solution. Experiments with HEK 293T cells showed that the exposure to 0.05 mg/mL uranyl nitrate resulted in 22.13% cytotoxicity and counter treatment with YG4 exopolysaccharide could reduce the cytotoxicity of uranyl nitrate significantly. These results highlight the potential of this exopolysaccharide in counteracting the nephrotoxic effects of uranium.

Key words: Uranium; Nephrotoxicity; Exopolysaccharide; β-glucan.