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Showing papers in "Environmental Mutagenesis in 1987"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: All chemicals were tested under code using a preincubation modification of the Salmonella/microsome test in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation and in the presence of liver S-9 from Aroclor-induced male Sprague-Dawley rats and Syrian hamsters.
Abstract: The results and data from the testing of 255 chemicals for mutagenicity in Salmonella are presented. All chemicals were tested under code using a preincubation modification of the Salmonella/microsome test in the absence of exogenous metabolic activation and in the presence of liver S-9 from Aroclor-induced male Sprague-Dawley rats and Syrian hamsters.

450 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The most sensitive measure of cytotoxic damage was AGT (significant at 62.5 ppm), followed by %PCE ( significant at 625 ppm), and then by MI (significant by trend test only), while the degree of concordance among the various indicators of genotoxic and cytot toxic damage ranged from a very good correlation to the lack of a significant correlation.
Abstract: Groups of male B6C3F1 mice (N = 12) were exposed to ambient air or to gaseous 1,3-butadiene (BD) at 6.25, 62.5, and 625 ppm for 10 exposure days (6 hr + T90/day). Exposure to BD induced in bone marrow: 1) a significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CA); 2) a significant elevation in the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE); 3) a significant lengthening of the average generation time (AGT); 4) a significant depression in the mitotic index (MI); and, as measured in the peripheral blood, 5) a significant increase in the proportion of circulating polychromatic erythrocytes (%PCE), and 6) a significant increase in the level of micronucleated PCE (MN-PCE) and micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MN-NCE). The most sensitive indicator of genotoxic damage was the frequency of SCE (significant at 6.25 ppm), followed by MN-PCE levels (significant at 62.5 ppm), and then by CA and MN-NCE frequencies (significant at 625 ppm). The most sensitive measure of cytotoxic damage was AGT (significant at 62.5 ppm), followed by %PCE (significant at 625 ppm), and then by MI (significant by trend test only). Because each cytogenetic endpoint was evaluated in every animal, a correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate the degree of concordance among the various indicators of genotoxic and cytotoxic damage. The extent of concordance ranged from a very good correlation between the induction of MN-PCE and the induction of SCE (correlation coefficient r = 0.9562) to the lack of a significant correlation between the depression in the MI and any other endpoint (r less than 0.37).

148 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In assessing the effects of environmental metal pollution, the presence of other metals and toxic chemicals and the level of nutrition should be taken into account, since in nature, metals occur in combination and these factors modify the cytotoxic effects to a significant extent.
Abstract: An analysis of the available data on the clastogenic effects of metals and their compounds on higher organisms indicates some general trends. Following chronic exposure to subtoxic doses, a decrease in mitotic frequency and an increase in the number of chromosomal abnormalities are observed. These effects are usually directly proportional to the dose applied and the duration of treatment within the threshold limits. Recovery after acute treatment is inversely related to the dosage. The ultimate expression of the effects depends on certain factors, including the mode and vehicle of administration; the form administered; the test system used; the rate of detoxification, distribution, and retention in the different tissues; and interaction with foreign and endogenous substances as well as the mode of action with the biological macromolecules. In mammals, the clastogenic activity of the metals within each vertical group of the periodic table is directly proportional to the increase in atomic weight, electropositivity, and solubility of the metallic cations in water and lipids, except for Li and Ba. This pattern of inherent cytotoxicity increases with successive periods in the horizontal level. It is enhanced by the formation of covalent and coordinate covalent complexes by heavy metals with the biological macromolecules. In plants, the solubility of the metals in water is of much greater importance. The degree of dissociation of metallic salts and the rate of absorption affect significantly the frequency of chromosomal aberrations. In assessing the effects of environmental metal pollution, the presence of other metals and toxic chemicals and the level of nutrition should be taken into account, since in nature, metals occur in combination and these factors modify the cytotoxic effects to a significant extent.

104 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Acrylamide (AA), known to induce dominant lethals in male rodents, was studied in the mouse heritable translocation test by using intraperitoneal injections on 5 consecutive days and suggested a different mechanism as the basis for AA's germ cell mutagenicity.
Abstract: Acrylamide (AA), known to induce dominant lethals in male rodents, was studied in the mouse heritable translocation test by using intraperitoneal injections on 5 consecutive days. Matings on days 7-10 following the last injection yielded a high frequency of translocation carriers in the F/sub 1/ male population, which demonstrated that acrylamide is an effective inducer of translocations in postmeiotic germ cells. As an inducer of both dominant lethals and heritable translocations in late spermatids and early spermatozoa, AA is similar to alkylating agents such as ethylmethanesulfonate and ethylene oxide. However, AA's chemical structure, the nature of adducts formed with DNA, and its lack of mutagenicity in bacteria suggest a different mechanism as the basis for AA's germ cell mutagenicity.

99 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results demonstrate that exposure to MIC by inhalation results in bone marrow damage, indicating the systemic genotoxic/cytotoxic activity of MIC and/or reactive metabolites.
Abstract: The ability of inhaled methyl isocyanate (MIC) to induce genotoxic and cytotoxic damage in vivo was evaluated by assessing the induction of chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in bone marrow metaphase cells, the induction of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCEs), and the inhibition of bone marrow cellular proliferation and erythropoiesis. B6C3F1 mice were exposed to MIC by two exposure regiments: in two experiments, male mice only were exposed to 3, 10, and 30 ppm for 2 hr; in four experiments, male and female mice were exposed to 1 and 3 ppm (in one experiment, to 6 ppm, also), 6 hr per day for 4 consecutive days. The various cytogenetic endpoints were analyzed in bone marrow and peripheral blood (4-day exposure regimen only) samples taken from bromodeoxyuridine tablet-implanted animals killed 11 to 22 hr after cessation of the exposure to MIC. Exposure to MIC for 2 hr induced a significant delay in cellular proliferation but did not induce a significant increase in CAs, SCEs (evaluated at 3 and 10 ppm, only) or in bone marrow MN-PCEs. Also, this exposure regimen did not inhibit the rate of erythropoiesis. Following exposure to MIC for 4 days, a weak but significant increase in CAs and SCEs was observed in male (in one experiment) and in female (in two experiments) mice. The induction was especially apparent in the single experiment in which mice were exposed to 6 ppm MIC. At this concentration, a significant increase in MN-PCEs in peripheral blood was observed in male but not female mice. Delay in bone marrow cell proliferation was observed in male mice beginning at 3 ppm and in female mice at 6 ppm. The 4-day exposure regimen resulted also in a depressed rate of erythropoiesis, with male mice appearing to exhibit greater depression than female mice. The results demonstrate that exposure to MIC by inhalation results in bone marrow damage, indicating the systemic genotoxic/cytotoxic activity of MIC and/or reactive metabolites.

88 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A Tedlar bag vaporization technique was developed, which increased contact time between the volatiles and bacterial test system, circumvented volatilization limitations in the standard plate incorporation and preincubation methods, allowed chemical analysis during incubation, and was flexible in design.
Abstract: The purpose of this research was to develop and characterize a sensitive test method to detect mutagenic activity of volatile liquid organic chemicals (i.e, volatiles) in the Ames/Salmonella assay. A Tedlar bag vaporization technique was developed, which increased contact time between the volatiles and bacterial test system, circumvented volatilization limitations in the standard plate incorporation and preincubation methods, allowed chemical analysis during incubation, and was flexible in design. The vaporization technique was evaluated concurrently against the plate incorporation and preincubation techniques with eight liquid volatile mutagens in the Ames/Salmonella mutagenicity assay with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA102. Results suggested that when volatile organic chemicals with boiling points below 63 degrees C were tested for mutagenic activity, the most sensitive test conditions were the vaporization technique with TA100. GC analysis of epichlorohydrin and butylene oxide concentrations within Tedlar bags suggested that these two chemicals volatilized and were contained in the media after 1 hr of incubation at 37 degrees C. The mutagenic activity of six volatile liquid mutagens was similar in single and triple plate Tedlar bags. Three general test groups of volatile organic chemicals were identified by test data: chemicals which had boiling points below 63 degrees C, for which the vaporization technique was the most sensitive test procedure (ethylene, propylene, and butylene oxides and methylene chloride); chemicals which had boiling points from 107 degrees to 132 degrees C, for which the vaporization technique was still useful, but where sensitivity was only slightly increased over the preincubation technique (1-bromo-2-chloroethane, epichlorohydrin, and ethylene dibromide); and 3) a chemical which had a boiling point at 194 degrees C, where the preincubation technique was the most appropriate test method (styrene oxide).

63 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The frequency of thioguanine(TG)-resistant lymphocytes in mice treated with ethylnitrosourea (ENU) was followed and one set of control mice was found to have a 10-fold elevated frequency of TG-resistant cells in both the spleen and thymus, indicating that mutations can occur in stem cells of untreated animals.
Abstract: The frequency of thioguanine(TG)-resistant lymphocytes in mice treated with ethylnitrosourea (ENU) was followed for a period of 51 wk using our clonogenic assay [Jones et al, 1985a,b]. The effects of dose (0-58 mg/kg), time since treatment (2-51 wk), dose rate (5 weekly X 11.7 mg/kg versus 1 X 58 mg/kg), and age at time of treatment (3 vs 15 mo) on the frequency of TG-resistant, concanavalin A-responsive spleen cells were evaluated. The frequencies of TG-resistant spleen cells were generally dose responsive for 51 wk after exposure to ENU. They also were dependent upon the time that had elapsed since treatment with ENU, increasing to maximal values at 10 wk as previously reported [Jones et al, 1985a], and holding essentially stable at values of approximately 20% of the maximum frequency from week 15 until at least week 40 for the 3-month-old mice. Fractionation of 58 mg ENU/kg into 5 weekly doses did not affect the frequency of ENU-induced TG-resistant cells detected in the spleen but did increase the rate of appearance in the spleen, and the efficiency of induction by the unit dose, of TG-resistant cells. The mice exposed to ENU at 15 mo of age appeared to have a 4-fold reduction in the rate of increase in frequency of ENU-induced TG-resistant spleen cells. One set of control mice was found to have a 10-fold elevated frequency of TG-resistant cells in both the spleen and thymus, indicating that mutations can occur in stem cells of untreated animals.

51 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The studies indicate that the L5178Y/TK+/- mouse lymphoma assay can detect some chromosomal mutagens (clastogens) that show little activity in other single gene mutation assays, the CHO/HPRT and Salmonella.
Abstract: Acrylamide was tested without exogenous activation in L5178Y/TK+/- -3.7.2C cells for mutation at the thymidine kinase locus and for clastogenicity. Acrylamide gave a positive induced mutagenic response (approximately 70 mutants/10(6) survivors) when tested at 600-650 micrograms/ml. The highest dose tested (850 micrograms/ml) resulted in an induced mutant frequency of approximately 380 mutants/10(6) survivors (survival = 13%). Acrylamide induced almost exclusively small-colony mutants, indicating that it might be acting by a clastogenic mechanism. As predicted, acrylamide was clastogenic, inducing both chromatid and chromosome breaks and rearrangements. A clearly positive clastogenic response was observed at both the 750 micrograms/ml and 850 micrograms/ml doses, which showed 16 and 64 aberrations per 100 cells, respectively (background = 3 aberrations per 100 cells). These studies indicate that the L5178Y/TK+/- mouse lymphoma assay can detect some chromosomal mutagens (clastogens) that show little activity in other single gene mutation assays, the CHO/HPRT and Salmonella.

50 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The genotoxic effects of methyl isocyanate were investigated using four short-term tests: the Salmonella reversion assay (Ames test), the Drosophila sex-linked recessive lethal assay, and the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and chromosomal aberration assays in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.
Abstract: The genotoxic effects of methyl isocyanate (MIC) were investigated using four short-term tests: the Salmonella reversion assay (Ames test), the Drosophila sex-linked recessive lethal assay, and the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and chromosomal aberration assays in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. No evidence was found for the induction of mutations in either Salmonella or Drosophila. MIC did, however, induce SCEs and chromosomal aberrations in CHO cells both in the presence and absence of Aroclor-induced rat liver S-9.

40 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Chinese hamster ovary cells were exposed for 2 hr with and without mitomycin C (MMC) (1 X 10(-8)M) to pulsed wave radiofrequency radiation (RFR) at 2450 MHz and there was no significant increase in sister chromatid exchange in the RFR-exposed or TC groups over that of the 37 degrees C control.
Abstract: Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were exposed for 2 hr with and without mitomycin C (MMC) (1 X 10(-8)M) to pulsed wave radiofrequency radiation (RFR) at 2450 MHz. The repetition rate of 25,000 pulses per sec (pps), pulse width of 10 microseconds, and exposure geometry used, resulted in a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 33.8 W/kg. The following exposure regimens were used: a 37 degrees C water bath control; a water bath temperature control (TC) in which the continuously monitored medium temperature closely followed the temperature rise in the RFR-exposed flasks; and the RFR-exposed cells in a water bath set at 37 degrees C prior to exposure. RFR exposure resulted in a maximum cell culture medium temperature of 39.2 degrees C. In the absence of MMC, there was no significant increase in sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in the RFR-exposed or TC groups over that of the 37 degrees C control. When a simultaneous treatment of RFR and MMC occurred there was no statistical difference in SCE frequency from that caused by chemical treatment alone.

37 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The relationships between the physical properties of a second functional group and their effects on biological activities of nitro- and aminofluorenes in the Ames Salmonella assay may be of predictive value in a first approximation of both the mutagenic and carcinogenic potency of chemicals with comparable structures such as fluoranthene and biphenyl.
Abstract: Twenty-nine derivatives of fluorene were tested for mutagenic potency in four strains of Salmonella typhimurium with and/or without S9 microsomal activation. The effects of a second functional group on the mutagenic activity of an amino-, nitroso-, and nitrofluorene were correlated with its physical and chemical properties. When the functional group is conjugated by resonance, both inductive and resonance effects are determinants of mutagenic potency. Electron-withdrawing groups such as the halogens (F, C1, Br, and I), nitro, nitroso, and cyano at C-7 increased the mutagenic potency of 2-nitrofluorene. Electron-donating substituents such as hydroxy and amino groups at C-7 decreased the mutagenic potency of 2-amino-, 2-nitroso-, and 2-nitrofluorene. Acetylation of a hydroxy or an amino group at C-7 increased the mutagenic potency of 2-nitrofluorene, presumably by decreasing the electron-donating properties of these groups. In contrast, acetylation of a nonresonance-conjugated amino group decreased mutagenic activity. The physical properties of a second functional group are expected to exert their effect(s) at three points in the metabolic activation of 2,7-disubstituted fluorene derivatives: 1) initial reduction of the nitro group (redox effect), 2) stabilization of the hydroxylamine (inductive effect), and 3) stabilization/destabilization of the nitrenium ion (resonance and inductive effects). The relationships between the physical properties of a second functional group and their effects on biological activities of nitro- and aminofluorenes in the Ames Salmonella assay may be of predictive value in a first approximation of both the mutagenic and carcinogenic potency of chemicals with comparable structures such as fluoranthene and biphenyl.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results support the hypothesis that the location of the target gene affects the ability of the assay to detect both intragenic events and events causing the loss of multiple loci, and may permit the more efficient detection of mutagens that act primarily by a clastogenic mechanism.
Abstract: Ellipticine is a potent clastogen in CHO cells (Bhuyan et al: Cancer Res 32:2538-2544, 1972). The reported mutant frequencies produced by ellipticine at the hprt locus in CHO cells are less than or equal to 50/10(6) survivors (background approximately 2/10(6); survival = 10%) (DeMarini et al: Cancer Res 43:3544-3552, 1983; Singh and Gupta: Cancer Res 43:577-584, 1983; Environ Mutagen 5:871-880, 1983). In the present study, the mutagenic and clastogenic activities of ellipticine were evaluated in L5178Y/TK(+/-)-3.7.2C mouse lymphoma cells. Unlike the results at the hprt locus, ellipticine is a potent mutagen at the tk locus, with as little as 50 ng/ml producing an induced mutant frequency of 142/10(6) survivors (background = 56/10(6); survival = 61%) and 198/10(6) survivors (background = 72/10(6); survival = 50%) in two separate experiments. This same dose of ellipticine induced 44 aberrations per 100 metaphases (background = 5/100 cells). At 400 ng/ml, ellipticine induced over 1,000 mutants/10(6) survivors at approximately 10% survival and produced 242 aberrations/100 cells. Under the test conditions, most of the aberrations were chromosome rather than chromatid events. As expected for a compound acting primarily by a clastogenic mechanism, almost all of the TK-deficient mutants were small colonies. Thus, ellipticine is a potent clastogen in both Chinese hamster cells and in mouse lymphoma cells; however, it is a potent mutagen at only the tk locus and not at the hprt locus. These results support the hypothesis that the location of the target gene affects the ability of the assay to detect both intragenic events and events causing the loss of multiple loci. Thus, a heterozygous locus (like tk) but not a functionally hemizygous locus (like hprt) may permit the more efficient detection of mutagens that act primarily by a clastogenic mechanism.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It can be concluded that the reactivity of the saturated dichloro compounds in the SCE test depends on the degree of oxidation, and there is no general difference between the reactivities of alpha, beta-dichloro and alpha, omega- dichlorO compounds.
Abstract: Three-carbon chemicals (chlorinated and nonchlorinated, saturated and unsaturated, hydroxy- and oxo-hydrocarbons) were assay for genotoxicity. The sister chromatid exchange test in vitro served as the test system. Without S9 mix, the nonchlorinated solvents 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and 2-propanone (acetone) did not increase the SCE frequencies. All chlorinated 3-C hydrocarbons, except 1,2,3-trichloropropane, proved to be potent SCE inducers in V79 cells without S9 mix. In the presence of S9 mix, the results obtained with the nonchlorinated solvents were also negative, whereas, 1,2,3-trichloropropane was transformed to SCE-inducing metabolites. The addition of S9 mix resulted in an increased SCE rate for 2,3-dichloropropanol, whereas genotoxicity of 2,3-dichloropropene, 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,3-dichloropropene, and 1,3-dichloropropanone was reduced. 1,3-dichloropropanol, 1,3-dichloropropene, and epichlorohydrin were substantially inactivated by S9 mix in the V79/SCE test. It can be concluded the reactivity of the saturated dichloro compounds in the SCE test depends on the degree of oxidation. There is no general difference between the reactivity of ..cap alpha..,..beta..-dichloro and ..cap alpha..,omega-dichloro compounds.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In cultured PBLs, MIC had a stimulatory effect on cell cycling rates as measured by the replicative index, and it caused a significant reduction in mononuclear leucocyte counts and the mitotic indices.
Abstract: Mice were exposed to 1, 3, or 6 ppm methyl isocyanate (MIC) for 6 hr/day for four consecutive days. Lung cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were removed and cultured for analysis of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and cell cycle kinetics. MIC caused a small but significant increase in SCE frequency of cultured lung cells from mice exposed to 1, 3, or 6 ppm MIC. MIC did not significantly increase SCE levels in PBLs of mice exposed to concentrations as high as 6 ppm. In cultured PBLs, MIC had a stimulatory effect on cell cycling rates as measured by the replicative index, and it caused a significant reduction in mononuclear leucocyte counts and the mitotic indices.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present mutagenicity studies indicate that these alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes at first appear to be mutagenic, although only at concentrations which decrease survival counts, and result in a disappearance of the bacterial lawn.
Abstract: alpha,beta-Unsaturated aldehydes are reactive compounds which are ubiquitous in the environment. This class of compounds has been tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium by a number of groups who have obtained differing results. The present studies were undertaken to test the mutagenicity and toxicity of two novel alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes, specifically trans, trans-muconaldehyde and trans-4-hydroxynonenal, and to re-examine the mutagenicity of crotonaldehyde. Trans, trans-muconaldehyde is a newly found microsomal metabolite of benzene, and trans-4-hydroxynonenal is a toxic aldehyde formed endogenously during lipid peroxidation. Compounds were tested in S. typhimurium strain TA 100 using a 30-min liquid preincubation procedure. The present mutagenicity studies indicate that these alpha, beta-unsaturated aldehydes at first appear to be mutagenic, although only at concentrations which decrease survival counts, and result in a disappearance of the bacterial lawn. The colonies observed on mutagenicity test plates are not mutants but rather pin point survivors.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Sperm abnormalities in mice induced by IP injection of quercetin at total cumulative doses of 16, 32, 80, and 160 mg/kg b.
Abstract: Sperm abnormalities in mice induced by IP injection of quercetin at total cumulative doses of 16, 32, 80, and 160 mg/kg b. wt. administered fractionally on 5 successive days were quantitated by assessing the percent of sperm with abnormal heads or tails. Five weeks after the final injection a maximum of 14.8% abnormal sperm were observed with a total quercetin dose of 80 mg/kg b. wt. compared to the spontaneous control of 0.98%. Concomittantly, a 32.1% reduction in testicular weight occurred compared to control mice which was coincident with a reduction in sperm count of 28 %.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Nine substances were tested for their mutagenic potential in the L5178Y tk+/tk- mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation assay, by means of procedures based upon those described by Clive and Spector and Clive et al.
Abstract: Nine substances were tested for their mutagenic potential in the L5178Y tk+/tk- mouse lymphoma cell forward mutation assay, by means of procedures based upon those described by Clive and Spector (Mutat Res 44:269-278, 1975) and Clive et al (Mutat Res 59:61-108, 1979). Cultures were exposed to the chemicals for 4 hr, then cultured for 2 days before plating in soft agar with or without trifluorothymidine (TFT), 3 micrograms/ml. The coded chemicals were tested at least twice. Significant responses were obtained with calcium chromate, 3-(chloromethyl)pyridine, 1,2-epoxybutane, monochloroacetic acid, dicyclohexylthiourea, 2,4-diaminophenol hydrochloride, and pentachloroanisole. Apart from pentachloroanisole, rat liver S9 mix was not a requirement for the clearly mutagenic activity of any of these compounds. Compounds not identified as mutagens were 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole and sucrose.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine showed dose-related clastogenic activity in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay following intubation of an aqueous solution of the dihydrocholoride salt, counter earlier reports of the inactivity of this material following its intraperitoneal injection.
Abstract: 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine showed dose-related clastogenic activity in the mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay following intubation of an aqueous solution of the dihydrocholoride salt (10 and 50 mg/kg, 24 h sampling). These data counter earlier reports of the inactivity of this material in a rat and a mouse micronucleus assay, following its intraperitoneal injection. In the present study, 2,000 polychromatic erythrocytes were assessed per animal. However, had only 300 cells been assessed for micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, it is shown that a negative result could have been recorded. This may explain the earlier and negative results.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Results indicate that the SOS umu-test is potentially useful for the in situ detection of genotoxic agents in occupational settings.
Abstract: The SOS umu-test has been used for the detection of DNA-damaging agents. In this system the plasmid pSK1002 carrying a fused gene umuC-lacZ was introduced into Salmonella typhimurium TA1535. The SOS function induced by genotoxic agents is detected by a colorimetric measurement of beta-galactosidase activity encoded by the lacZ gene, which is regulated by the Umu operon. This system was used with modifications to study the SOS function inducibility of volatile chemicals (propylene oxide, methyl bromide, and ethylene dibromide) and air pollutants (diesel emission, welding fumes, and cigarette smoke). Tester cells were exposed directly to the test material. The enzyme activity of the treated cells was measured according to the established procedure. Results of the study showed that all chemicals and pollutants tested induced SOS function in a dose-related manner. These results indicate that the SOS umu-test is potentially useful for the in situ detection of genotoxic agents in occupational settings.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present study shows that the L-arabinose resistance test in Salmonella typhimurium detects coffee as a strong mutagen in the absence of mammalian microsomal activation.
Abstract: The present study shows that the L-arabinose resistance test in Salmonella typhimurium detects coffee as a strong mutagen in the absence of mammalian microsomal activation. The response of the Ara forward mutation assay was 8.5 times higher than that of TA104, which is the most sensitive to coffee of the tester strains of the Ames test. Both the mutagenesis protocol (preincubation test) and the additional genetic characteristics of the bacterial tester strain (excision repair deficiency, normal lipopolysaccharide barrier, and the presence of plasmid pKM101) were critical factors in the optimal induction by coffee of forward mutations to L-arabinose resistance. All ten samples of roasted coffee analyzed with the Ara assay were highly mutagenic: one cup of coffee (150 ml) was calculated to induce 3-4 X 10(6) AraR mutants. In contrast, coffee prepared from unroasted beans (green coffee) had no mutagenic activity. Regular- and sugar-roasted coffees showed similar mutagenicities, but the specific mutagenic activity of instant coffees (1559 AraR mutants/mg) was almost 2 times that of noninstant ones (834 AraR mutants/mg). The Ara assay allowed the direct testing of coffee, although it was demonstrated that lyophilization has no effect on the mutagenicity of this beverage. Like roasted coffee, roasted barley induced a large number of AraR mutants per mg (227), though its specific mutagenic activity was approximately 4 and 7 times lower than that of noninstant and instant coffees, respectively.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The genotoxicity of captan was studied in vivo in the proximal small intestine of the mouse, the site of its oncogenicity.
Abstract: The fungicide, captan, is known to induce point mutations in vitro. In extremely high doses, technical grade captan leads to duodenal tumors in mice. In short-term in vivo assays for genotoxicity, equivocal results have been obtained with captan. In this study, the genotoxicity of captan was studied in vivo in the proximal small intestine of the mouse, the site of its oncogenicity. Orally administered captan up to 4,000 mg/kg body weight failed to induce a response in the small intestine nuclear aberration assay in a wide range of doses under a variety of experimental conditions, including pretreatment of animals with L-buthionine-S, R-sulfoximine (an inhibitor of glutathione biosynthesis). 1,2,3,6-Tetrahydrophthalimide and bis (trichloromethyl)disulfide, two compounds that have been identified as impurities in technical grade captan, also failed to produce positive results in this assay.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results show that the addition of GSH and GSH + GST affected AFB1 mutagenesis by forming the USAF1-GSH conjugate and decreasing the availability of AFB1-8,9-epoxide.
Abstract: The effects of glutathione (GSH) and the combination of GSH and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) on aflatoxin B/sub 1/ (AFB/sub 1/) mutagenesis in the Salmonella mutagenicity assay using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 were tested. Ten concentrations of AFB/sub 1/ (0-1.0 ..mu..g/plate) were added to a liver microsomal homogenate (S9 mix) or to S9 mix containing GSH or S9 mix containing the combination of GSH + GST. One third of the samples were plated directly. Two-thirds were incubated for 30 min at 37/sup 0/C prior to plating, and of those, half included bacteria. The results show that the addition of GSH and GSH + GST affected AFB/sub 1/ mutagenesis by forming the AFB/sub 1/-GSH conjugate and decreasing the availability of AFB/sub 1/-8,9-epoxide. The effect of GST on GSH activity varied with the strain because of the different amounts of S9 mix used. The formation of the AFB/sub 1/-GSH conjugate was verified by using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for quantitation of AFB/sub 1/ and detection of AFB/sub 1/-GSH.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The response of BALB/3T3 clone A31-1-1 cells to chemically induced morphological transformation was evaluated using 3-methylcholanthrene and the number of transformed foci increased with passage, which was not related to doubling time, cloning efficiency, or MCA-induced growth inhibition.
Abstract: The response of BALB/3T3 clone A31-1-1 cells to chemically induced morphological transformation was evaluated using 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA). Stock cultures were initiated from cryopreserved cells, grown in T25 flasks containing 5 ml of medium, and replated at subconfluency. Serially transferred cells were then subjected to transformation assay. After 24-hr seeding, cells were incubated 48 hr with MCA in a 5% CO2 incubator. They were then rinsed and incubated for an additional 4 weeks with twice weekly medium change. Type III foci were scored after fixation and staining with Giemsa. With serial passage from the frozen state, cells of passages 3-14 had a low level of spontaneous transformation; zero to 6 type III foci per 20 dishes were counted. In the MCA-treated cultures the number of transformed foci, however, increased with passage. Such passage-related sensitivity to MCA was demonstrated for cells cultured in two batches of sera: one from MA Bioproducts (Lot no. 2E052) and the other from Armour Pharmaceuticals (Lot no. Y65801). The passage-related increase in number of transformed foci was not related to doubling time, cloning efficiency, or MCA-induced growth inhibition.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This first demonstration of such changes in lens epithelial cells expands on the cell types available for monitoring potential mutagen-carcinogens and may aid in this endeavor, as well as contributing to an understanding of cataract etiology.
Abstract: The epithelial cells of die vertebrate lens have an unique character and a probable involvement in cataract formation, which could be initiated by exogenous stimuli. Individual rat lenses were organ-cultured, and the effects of mitomycin C and gamma rays on sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosomal aberrations, and cellular kinetics assessed in cells from the epithelial monolayer. SCE showed about a 5.5-fold increase over the mitomycin C dose range (0, 17, 83, 170 nM), while chromosomal aberrations increased 38-fold. In cells from untreated lenses, SCE were 1,600 times more frequent than aberrations and at a level consistent with in vivo assessments in other cell types. Gamma rays (up to 4 Gy) had a greater inhibiting effect on cellular progression, while 17 nM mitomycin C and 1 Gy induced similar clastogenic responses. This first demonstration of such changes in lens epithelial cells expands on the cell types available for monitoring potential mutagen-carcinogens. Additionally chromosomal changes resulting from lens cellular challenge could be the basis of later cytopathological changes in the lens, of which cataract is the primary concern to humans. Potential cataractogens warrant monitoring, and the study outlined may aid in this endeavor, as well as contributing to an understanding of cataract etiology.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: With this hepatocyte activation methodology, CP, DMN, DMBA, and B(a)P, genotoxins that require metabolic activation, could be detected as mutagens in L5178Y/TK+/- cells.
Abstract: The authors have developed a method for cocultivating primary rat hepatocytes with L5178Y/TK/sup +/-/-372C mouse lymphoma cells This method should provide a means of simulating more closely in-vivo metabolism compared to metabolism by liver homogenates, while still being useful for routine screening Hepatocytes were isolated from 200-250 gm adult male Sprague-Dawley rats; 1 x 10/sup 6/ viable hepatocytes were seeded per flask Rapid attachment of the hepatocytes (2 hr) was obtained by using fibronectin-coated 25-cm/sup 2/ tissue culture flasks Cocultivated cultures were incubated at 37/sup 0/C on a platform rocker at 32 oscillations per minute A 16-hr cocultivated period was selected With this hepatocyte activation methodology, CP, DMN, DMBA, and B(a)P, genotoxins that require metabolic activation, could be detected as mutagens in L5178Y/TK/sup +/-/ cells


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Study results demonstrate that Pluronic F127, prepared as a 50% (w/w) solution in absolute ethanol, is an effective vehicle for evaluating the mutagenic potential of complex hydrocarbon mixtures containing PAHs in the Salmonella/microsomal assay.
Abstract: Complex hydrocarbon mixtures have proven difficult to evaluate in in vitro mutagenicity assays owing to their insolubility in aqueous environments. Pluronic Polyol F127 (BASF Wyandotte, Parsippany, NJ), prepared as a 50% (w/w) solution in absolute ethanol, proved effective in emulsifying various petroleum hydrocarbon fractions. Its effectiveness in the Salmonella/microsomal assay was evaluated using model solutions each comprising a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) dissolved in mineral oil. The PAHs used were benzo(a)pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene, and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene. Model solutions were evaluated neat and as emulsions with the Pluronic F127 solution or Tween 80. Similar levels of each PAH were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for comparison. Cytotoxicity and mutagenesis were evaluated in the preincubation technique using strain TA97. Little or no cytotoxicity or mutagenesis was evident for model solutions tested neat. However, emulsification of these PAH-laden mixtures with the Pluronic F127 solution yielded cytotoxic and mutagenic responses similar to, or greater than, those observed for PAHs delivered in DMSO. Model mixtures emulsified with Tween 80 were less active. Study results demonstrate that Pluronic F127, prepared as a 50% (w/w) solution in absolute ethanol, is an effective vehicle for evaluating the mutagenic potential of complex hydrocarbon mixtures containing PAHs in the Salmonella/microsomal assay. Since PAHs are a class of insoluble hydrocarbons, the results also suggest the potential usefulness of the Pluronic F127 solution to detect the mutagenicity of other insoluble hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon mixtures.


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The mutagenicity of NPPD in Salmonella was partially, but not completely, eliminated in a strain lacking one of the bacterial nitroreductases, and induced low-level increases in chromosome aberrations and SCE in bone marrow.
Abstract: 5-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2,4-pentadien-1-al (NPPD; spy dust) was tested for mutagenicity in Salmonella and for its ability to induce chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and mouse bone marrow. Two metabolites of NPPD produced by the rat, 4-nitrobenzoic acid (NBA) and 4-nitrohippuric acid (NHA), were also tested in Salmonella and CHO cells. NPPD was mutagenic in Salmonella, and induced low-level increases in chromosome aberrations and SCE in bone marrow. It did not induce aberrations in CHO cells. NBA was positive in Salmonella and CHO cells, while NHA was negative. The mutagenicity of NPPD in Salmonella was partially, but not completely, eliminated in a strain lacking one of the bacterial nitroreductases.