†These authors contributed equally.
Academic Editor: Josef Jampílek
Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are
synthetic compounds widely utilized in industrial activities devoted to the
production of daily life plastic, metal products, and packaging from which they
are able to migrate to food and water. Due to their persistence in the
environment, living organisms are chronically exposed to these pollutants. BPA
and PFOA have adverse effects on tissues and organs. The aim of this study was to
identify the molecular targets and biochemical mechanisms involved in their
toxicity. Methods: HepG2 and HaCaT cells were treated with BPA or PFOA,
and the trypan blue exclusion test and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay were performed to define the
conditions for subsequent investigations. We conducted quantitative PCR and
western blot analysis to evaluate the expression of proteins involved in nitric
oxide (NO) signaling. Cell-based assays were carried out to evaluate reactive
oxygen species (ROS) production, nitrite/nitrate (NOx) accumulation,
3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) formation, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP)
determination in treated cells. Results: HepG2 and HaCaT cells incubated
for 24 h with subtoxic concentrations of BPA or PFOA (50 and 10