Figure 2

Cell membrane integrity, as measured by an increase in LDH-release, following a 24 h exposure of the different cell lines to Ag and Au NPs. An increase in LDH-release is indicated by a decrease in the membrane integrity. A549 cells (A, B; means ± SEM of n = 6), BEAS-2B (C, D; means ± SEM of n = 3) and NHBE cells (E, F; means ± SEM of n = 3). P-value * < 0.05. Cells treated with medium only were used as negative control (=100%).