Effect of Lead on Human Middle Ear Epithelial Cells

Figure 4

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity of human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEECs) following exposure to lead. As a positive control, 50 μg/mL tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) was used: ROS activity was increased in cells exposed to 50–300 μg/mL of lead(II) acetate trihydrate compared to control cells, but the ROS activity was decreased in cells exposed to >400 μg/mL lead(II) acetate trihydrate compared to control cells. Error bars indicate the standard error of the mean (SEM).