Cadmium induces apoptosis in human lung fibroblast by inducing oxidative stress: A role of Bax and Bcl-2

Cadmium (Cd) is an inorganic toxicant of great environmental and occupational concern which was classified as a human carcinogen in 1993. Occupational cadmium exposure is associated with lung cancer in human. In the present study, we established the mechanistic basis of apoptotic cell death induced by Cd in WI38 human lung fibroblast. Cd at 20-80 ${\mu}$M decreased viablility of cells in a concentration-dependent manner. PI staining, TUNEL staining and DNA fragmentation analysis demonstrated the apoptotic cell death by Cd. (omitted)