Seasonal changes in river water pollution levels induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in human keratinocytes

Nebiye Pelin Türker; Pınar Altınoluk Mimiroğlu

doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025108

Seasonal changes in river water pollution levels induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in human keratinocytes

Abstract

Background: Seasonal heavy metal pollution of river waters poses a significant risk to environmental and human health; yet its biological effects are often insufficiently characterized.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal variations in river water pollution and to evaluate the associated cytotoxic, oxidative, and genotoxic effects of these waters on human keratinocytes using an integrated in vitro approach.

Methods: This study collected river water samples during the four seasons and evaluated their cytotoxic and genotoxic impacts in human keratinocytes using an integrated in vitro approach. The cells were exposed to the samples for 24 and 48 h. Cytotoxicity was assessed via the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, elemental accumulation by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, and oxidative and genotoxic responses by assessing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8- OHdG) levels.

Results: All samples induced time- and season-dependent cytotoxicity, whereas control cells were unaffected. Autumn-collected samples exhibited the maximal cytotoxicity, with cell mortality ranging from 38.94% to 80.09% at 24 h and increasing to 56.97%–81.03% at 48 h. Spring-collected samples induced the second-highest lethality, with cell death reaching ≤90.03% at 48 h. Enhanced cytotoxicity was associated with elevated cellular levels of Fe, Al, Cr, Ni, Ca, and Sr at 24 h and Ti, Mn, Zn, Cu, and P at 48 h, indicating rapid uptake and delayed accumulation patterns. River water exposure also significantly increased ROS generation (p < 0.005) and 8-OHdG levels, particularly by autumn and spring samples, demonstrating cumulative oxidative DNA damage.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that seasonal river water pollution induces oxidative stress mediated cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in human keratinocytes. The study underscores the necessity of incorporating biological endpoints into routine water quality monitoring to better assess health risks associated with contaminated freshwater systems.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

No external funding acquired

Ethical Statement

Not required.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cell Metabolism

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Nebiye Pelin Türker ^*
0000-0001-6060-3557
Türkiye

Pınar Altınoluk Mimiroğlu This is me
0000-0002-8524-0972
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 9, 2026

Submission Date

October 28, 2025

Acceptance Date

December 31, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 27 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025108

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA94CJ32DZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Türker, N. P., & Altınoluk Mimiroğlu, P. (2026). Seasonal changes in river water pollution levels induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in human keratinocytes. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, 27(1), 76-87. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025108

AMA

1.Türker NP, Altınoluk Mimiroğlu P. Seasonal changes in river water pollution levels induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in human keratinocytes. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27(1):76-87. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025108

Chicago

Türker, Nebiye Pelin, and Pınar Altınoluk Mimiroğlu. 2026. “Seasonal Changes in River Water Pollution Levels Induce Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Human Keratinocytes”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 (1): 76-87. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025108.

EndNote

Türker NP, Altınoluk Mimiroğlu P (July 1, 2026) Seasonal changes in river water pollution levels induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in human keratinocytes. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 1 76–87.

IEEE

[1]N. P. Türker and P. Altınoluk Mimiroğlu, “Seasonal changes in river water pollution levels induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in human keratinocytes”, Trakya Univ J Nat Sci, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 76–87, July 2026, doi: 10.23902/trkjnat.2025108.

ISNAD

Türker, Nebiye Pelin - Altınoluk Mimiroğlu, Pınar. “Seasonal Changes in River Water Pollution Levels Induce Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Human Keratinocytes”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27/1 (July 1, 2026): 76-87. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025108.

JAMA

1.Türker NP, Altınoluk Mimiroğlu P. Seasonal changes in river water pollution levels induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in human keratinocytes. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27:76–87.

MLA

Türker, Nebiye Pelin, and Pınar Altınoluk Mimiroğlu. “Seasonal Changes in River Water Pollution Levels Induce Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage in Human Keratinocytes”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, vol. 27, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 76-87, doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025108.

Vancouver

1.Nebiye Pelin Türker, Pınar Altınoluk Mimiroğlu. Seasonal changes in river water pollution levels induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in human keratinocytes. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026 Jul. 1;27(1):76-87. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025108