The effect of ultrasound hyperthermia with gold nanoparticles on retinoblastoma Y79 cells

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible synergistic effect of gold nano-therapy (Au-NPs) on Y79 cells treated with ultrasonic hyperthermia. The cells in the presence and absence of gold nanoparticles were subjected to ultrasonic irradiation (3 MHz, 1 W/cm 2 , 40% pulse mode). Gold nanoparticles with an average diameter of 60 nm were synthesized. The cell viability of the Y79 cells was evaluated 48 h after performing 0.5–11 min hyperthermia with and without Au-NPs using the MTT assay. There was no cytotoxicity with 1.7 μg/mL Au-NP concentration. Moreover, the results revealed a significant difference in the cell viability between the control group and the groups with a hyperthermia period of more than 4 min. The results indicated that with increasing the concentration of Au-NPs (1.75, 3.5, 7, 14, 28 and 56 μg/mL), the cytotoxicity increased. The Y79 cell viability of 50% was caused for 9 min hyperthermia time alone and 4.5 min hyperthermia time in the presence of gold nanoparticles. The cell viability of the Y79 cells for a 0.5 to 11 min hyperthermia time, compared with the control group, was 93 to 27% and 95 to 32% with and without Au-NPs, respectively. It is concluded that the cells are more sensitive to hyperthermia induced by ultrasound irradiation in the presence of Au-NPs.