PhD conferral Ms Mireille M.J.P.E. Sthijns, MSc.

“Protection, adaptation or cell death as response to toxins. Dependence of time and dose”

People are constantly exposed to various toxic substances, for instance toxins related to recent food scandals or cigarette smoke. In early evolution, oxygen was a toxic substance, too. Fortunately, human cells have developed adequate protective systems against oxygen, such as glutathione and thioredoxine. The dynamic protection balance against oxygen is also being used to adjust to other toxins. The method of adjustment depends on the substance, time and dose. This dissertation examines the effects of acrolein (in cigarette smoke), silver nanoparticles (in electronics) and flavonoids (in fruit and vegetables). The study results show that low doses of these substances induce protective systems.