Potassium dichromate increases the micronucleus frequency in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii

The assessment of biological effects on aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate species is frequently employed to monitor water pollution because it provides meaningful information on bioavailability and effective concentration levels. Of special concern are genotoxic agents that induce DNA alterations at subtoxic exposure levels. With the objective of developing a field-assay for the detection of genotoxic pollutants in water, we investigated the effects of hexavalent chromium in the haemolymph cells of Procambarus clarkii using the micronuclei (MN) test. The frequency of micronucleated cells significantly correlated with the amount of potassium dichromate in water and with the amount of chromium found in gills.

[Application of chemiluminescent technique for determination of Daphnia magna sensitivity to various types of toxic agents]

The character and intensity of activated chemiluminescence of Daphnia living medium are investigated depending on the effect on them of various concentration different in nature toxic substances, such, as potassium bichromate, methomyl and tween-80. It is shown, that the toxic influence of these agents can be defined by registration of stimulating effect of Daphnia's exometabolites on the process of chemiluminescence. The sensitivity of the method makes: for potassium chromate--0.005 mg/l, methomyl--0.0013 mg/l and tween-80--0.1 mg/l.

Genotoxicity is modulated by ascorbic acid

The ability of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) to modulate the genotoxic action of several mutagens was investigated in the wing spot test of Drosophila melanogaster. In this assay, 3-day-old transheterozygous larvae for the multiple wing hairs (mwh, 3-0.3) and flare (flr, 3-38.8) genes were treated with three reference mutagenic compounds, namely cobalt chloride (CoCl2), 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) and potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7). The results obtained show that the three reference mutagens tested were clearly genotoxic in the Drosophila wing somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART). None of the three concentrations tested of ascorbic acid (25, 75 and 250mM) induced significant increases in the frequency of the mutant clones recorded. When co-treatment experiments with ascorbic acid were carried out, different results were found. Thus, ascorbic acid was effective in reducing the genotoxicity of K2Cr2O7 virtually to the control level; on the contrary, it did not show any antigenotoxic effect on the genotoxicity of 4-NQO. Finally, co-treatments with CoCl2 and ascorbic acid show a significant increase in the frequency of mutant clones over the values obtained with CoCl2 alone.

[Low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substances in hepatic and nephric tissues of chromium-exposed rats]

Male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with potassium dichromate(2.55 mg Cr6+ per kg body weight) for 7 days, and were observed continuously for 7 days after stopping Cr injection. The results were that concentrations of chromium-binding substances (HMW-Cr, LMW-Cr, and MMW-Cr) increased significantly with the extension of Cr injection time; MMW-Cr was not found in the control group. MMW-Cr may be a valuable indicator in diagnosing chromium toxication. It was efficient to use Sephadex G-50 column chromatography and ultra-violet absorption spectrometry-atomic absorption spectrophotometry in isolation, and then it was followed by quantitative analysis of chromium-binding substances.

The protective role of thiola and soybean seeds against the genotoxicity induced by potassium dichromate in mice

The genotoxic potential of potassium dichromate (K(2)Cr(2)O(7)) was evaluated in vivo in mice using different mutagenic end points. Chromosomal aberrations in bone-marrow and spermatocytes as well as sperm abnormalities in the tested mice were determined. The doses used were 3, 6, 12 mg K(2)Cr(2)O(7)kg(-1) body weight which correspond to 1/16, 1/8, 1/4 the experimental LD(50), respectively. The protective roles of i.p. injection with thiola (a synthetic sulfhydryl compound) at 20 mg kg(-1) body weight and feeding treatment with soybean seeds (30% of the diet) were also studied. For chromosomal aberration analysis, subacute treatment for a period of 3 weeks were performed. All the tested doses of K(2)Cr(2)O(7) induced a statistically significant increase in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations in both somatic and germ cells with dose and time relationships. The percentage of the induced chromosomal aberrations was significantly minimized in all groups of mice i.p. treated with thiola or fed soybean seeds during the period of treatment. Potassium dichromate also induced a significant increase (P<0.01) in the percentage of abnormal sperms at the doses 6 and 12 mg kg(-1) body weight. Such percentage reached 7.52+/-0.45, 5.50+/-0.53 and 4.28+/-0.45 in mice treated with the highest tested dose of K(2)Cr(2)O(7), K(2)Cr(2)O(7) and thiola; K(2)Cr(2)O(7) and soybean, respectively compared with 2.14+/-0.33 for the control. In conclusion, the results demonstrate the genotoxic effect of potassium dichromate in mice. The results also confirm the protective role of thiola and soybean seeds against the genotoxicity of potassium dichromate.

Combination effect of light and toxicity in algal tests

The sensitivity of Scenedesmus subspicatus against potassium dichromate is positively correlated to the photon flux density during the algal growth inhibition test. Low photon flux densities led to significantly reduced maximum effects and higher EC50 levels. To improve the testing of colored substances, we distinguished between the toxic effect (chemical part, represented by potassium dichromate) and the shading effect (physical part, simulated by reduced light intensities during the test) of a hypothetical light absorbing substance. The contribution of these single effects to the total inhibition varied greatly. At high concentrations of potassium dichromate (1.6 and 3.2 mg L(-1)) the physical part never exceeded 25% of the total inhibition, not even at strongest light reduction, while at low concentrations (0.2 and 0.4 mg L(-1)) the physical effect became more prominent when halving the amount of available light. Further, the combination effect of the chemical and the physical effect could be calculated well only by using the concept of independent action. Thus, if chemical and physical effects are measured in combination, as is the case in tests with dye-stuffs, the current test protocol for the algal growth inhibition test may lead to incorrect estimations of the toxic potential.

Influence of sodium arsenite on the genotoxicity of potassium dichromate and ethyl methanesulfonate: studies with the wing spot test in Drosophila

The wing spot test in Drosophila melanogaster was used to investigate the genotoxicity of arsenic and its effects on the action of two clearly genotoxic agents: potassium dichromate (PDC) and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). This assay is based on the principle that the loss of heterozygosity of the suitable recessive markers multiple wing hairs (mwh) and flare-3 (flr(3)) can lead to the formation of mutant clones of larval cells, which are then expressed as spots on the wings of adult flies. These spots can be attributed to different genotoxic events: either mitotic recombination or mutation (deletion, point mutation, and specific types of translocation). Pretreatments and chronic cotreatments were comparatively used for combined treatments. From the results obtained it is evident that sodium arsenite (SA) does not increase the frequency of any of the three categories of spots recorded (small, large, and twin spots) at the concentrations tested. The effects of SA in combination with PDC, in both cotreatments and pretreatments, indicate that SA almost suppressed the clones induced by PDC. Nevertheless, no effects of arsenic were observed with respect to the pre- and cotreatments with EMS. Thus, SA does not modify the frequencies of mutant clones induced by EMS.

Use of newborn Girardia tigrina (Girard, 1850) in acute toxicity tests

Acute toxicity tests, exposing Girardia tigrina to potassium dichromate (K(2)Cr(2)O(7)), showed good reproducibility. The 95% confidence intervals among tests were 0.0262+/-0.0141 g for 48-h LC(50) (N=6) and 0.0129+/-0.0078 g for 96-h LC(50) (N=5). The 96-h LC(50) for G. tigrina was below that of oligochaetes and above that of cladocera.

In vivo genotoxic effect of potassium dichromate in mice leukocytes using comet assay

Hexavalent chromium is a well-known mutagen and carcinogen. In the present investigation, single-/double-stranded DNA breaks by potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in mice, a sensitive model for genotoxic effects, have been studied in vivo using alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE)/comet assay. Mice were administered orally with a range of doses starting from 0.59 to 76.0 mg/kg body weight of K2Cr2O7 and samples of whole blood were collected at 24, 48, 72, 96 h, week 1 and week 2 post-treatment for alkaline SCGE assay to study DNA damage. The rationale for using leukocytes was to reflect biomarker analysis in humans. Significant increase in mean comet tail length (5.7-24.25 microM) indicating DNA damage was observed at all the doses with K2Cr2O7 when compared with controls (3.26 microM). Maximum increase in mean comet tail length was observed at 9.5 mg/kg body weight at 48 h post-treatment (24.25 microM). The mean comet tail length showed a clear dose-dependent increase from 0.59 to 9.5 mg/kg body weight and a dose-dependent decrease in higher doses (19.0-76.0 mg/kg body weight). A gradual decrease in the tail lengths from 72 h post-treatment was observed by the second week, and values had returned to control levels at all doses, indicating repair of the damaged DNA and/or loss of heavily damaged cells. The study also reveals that comet assay is a sensitive and rapid method for detecting DNA damage caused by heavy metals such as chromium (Cr).

Evaluation of basal micronucleus frequency and hexavalent chromium effects in fish erythrocytes

Hexavalent chromium (Cr [VI]) genotoxicity was studied using fish micronucleus analysis in peripheral blood erythrocytes from Pimephales promelas, the fathead minnow. Forty-five- to 60-d-old fish were used to assess the spontaneous level of genotoxic damage. The genotoxic effect of Cr (VI) obtained from potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in tests performed for 7-, 14-, and 21-d exposure periods was estimated. Significant micronucleated erythrocyte (MNE) induction was detected in fish exposed for 7 d to 2.5 mg/L of Cr (VI), and induction decreased after 21 d of exposure. The results suggest a handling effect in fish manipulated compared to those not manipulated, thus demonstrating the importance of including parallel negative controls in experimental design. Basal levels of MNE are reported, providing laboratory values for future assay quality control. The importance of determining the period with the highest expression of the genotoxic effects in this assay system was also confirmed.

Chromium (VI) induces oxidative stress in the mouse brain

Potassium dichromate was given to female Swiss mice (25 mg/kg per day) orally in water for 1-3 days. Brain homogenates were prepared to evaluate the occurrence of oxidative stress in this organ through the measurement of the antioxidant defense levels. and the extent of lipid peroxidation. In addition, mitochondrial fractions were isolated from brain homogenates to determine the production of reactive oxygen species in this subcellular fraction. The administration of potassium dichromate for 3 days caused increases of 72 and 74% in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, respectively, in the homogenates. The treatment with this metal for 3 days increased brain homogenate chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances by 34 and 29%, respectively. The brain contents of the non-enzymatic antioxidants alpha-tocopherol and sulfhydryl groups decreased by 35 and 32%, respectively. Ascorbic acid levels were not modified by the administration of potassium dichromate. Finally, there was a significant increment in the mitochondrial production of oxidants in the brain of treated mice as compared with controls. These results suggest that chromium(VI) produces an increased formation of reactive oxygen species and brain lipid peroxidation. The increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities reflects an adaptive response against oxidative stress, while the reduction in the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants might be due to their reaction with reactive oxygen species generated during the metabolism of chromium(VI).

Genotoxic ability of cadmium, chromium and nickel salts studied by kinetochore staining in the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay

The aneugenic and clastogenic ability of cadmium chloride(II), cadmium sulfate(II), nickel chloride(II), nickel sulfate(II), chromium chloride(III) and potassium dichromate(IV) have been evaluated through kinetochore-stained micronucleus test. Traditional genotoxicity assays evaluate DNA damage, gene mutations and chromosome breakage. However, these tests are not adequate to detect aneugenic agents that do not act directly on DNA. Staining kinetochores in the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay is a useful way to discriminate between clastogens and aneuploidogens and may allow a rapid identification of aneuploidy-inducing environmental compounds. Human diploid fibroblasts (MRC-5) were employed. All compounds increased micronuclei frequency in a statistically significant way. However, increases in kinetochore-positive micronuclei frequencies were higher than in kinetochore-negative ones. The present work demonstrates the genotoxic ability of the cadmium and chromium salts studied. Aneugenic as well as clastogenic ability could be observed with this assay. Nickel salts, as it was expected because of their known weak mutagenicity, showed lower genotoxic effects than the other metal salts studied. As the test employed only allows the detection of malsegregation, it is proposed that this mechanism is at least one of those by which the tested metal salts induced aneuploidy. On the other hand, visualization of kinetochores in all experiments suggests that the compounds studied did not act by damaging these structures.

A subtoxic interactive toxicity study of ethanol and chromium in male Wistar rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the interactive toxicity of ethanol with potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7-chromium). Young, male Wistar rats (100-120 g) were divided into four groups of five or six animals each and were dosed, through water, with 10% ethanol (vol./vol.) or 25 ppm chromium or were dosed with a combination of ethanol+chromium at the same concentrations for a period of 22 weeks ad libitum and were maintained on normal diet. Control animals were maintained on a normal diet and water for the same period. The serum succinate dehydrogenase and liver total triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in the three treated groups. The serum alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly reduced in ethanol-treated rats, and there was no significant change in the acid phosphatase activity. Serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels in the three treated groups were significantly increased. The liver glycogen significantly decreased in both the ethanol-treated and the chromium-treated rats. There was a significant increase in liver total cholesterol levels in chromium-treated rats. Total glutathione levels were significantly decreased in the livers of ethanol-treated and ethanol+chromium-treated rats. To further substantiate these findings, a histological examination of the liver and kidneys was undertaken. The livers of alcohol-treated animals showed altered hepatic architecture in the centrilobular and periportal areas, with increased sinusoidal space (space of Disse), vacuolation, and necrosis of hepatocytes. Similar changes were observed in a histological examination of the livers of chromium-treated rats, except that the damage to the hepatocytes was more confined to the periportal area. Moreover, histological examination of the livers of ethanol+chromium-treated rats revealed uniform damage in the centrilobular and periportal areas, as was observed in the groups treated either with ethanol or chromium. The histological examination of the kidneys in the three treated groups revealed significant damage to the renal tubules and Bowman's capsule, which showed vacuolation and degeneration of the basement membrane. These findings correlate well with the serum enzyme levels found in the treated groups. It is evident from this study that chronic ethanol consumption sensitizes the liver to the toxic action of agents such as chromium. It leads to impairment of the biochemical functions in the liver, and it causes liver and kidney damage. Long-term simultaneous exposure to ethanol and chromium may cause severe health problems in people who are alcoholics and work in chrome-plating and leather-tanning industries.

Antigenotoxic properties of selenium: studies in the wing spot test in Drosophila

The genotoxic activity of three selenium compounds (sodium selenite, sodium selenate, and selenious acid) and the antigenotoxic effects of sodium selenite in combination with the chromium compound potassium dichromate were studied using the wing spot test of Drosophila melanogaster. This assay is based on the principle that the loss of heterozygosity of suitable recessive markers, multiple wing hairs (mwh) and flare-3 (flr[3]), can lead to the formation of mutant clones of larval cells, which are then expressed as spots on the wings of the adult flies. Pretreatment and chronic cotreatment was comparatively used for the antigenotoxicity study. From the results obtained, it was evident that all selenium compounds are unable to increase the frequency of any of the three categories of spots recorded (small, large, and twin spots). Nevertheless, the antigenotoxic effects of sodium selenite were clearly demonstrated, in both cotreatment and pretreatment, by a complete suppression of those clones induced by potassium dichromate. Therefore, the D. melanogaster wing spot test was revealed to be a good assay, not only for evaluating genotoxic activity but also for detecting antigenotoxic effects in vivo.

Detection of dichromate (VI)-induced DNA strand breaks and formation of paramagnetic chromium in multiple mouse organs

DNA single-strand breaks (and/or alkali-labile sites) induced by Cr(VI) were evaluated with the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCG) (Comet) assay in five organs (liver, kidney, spleen, lung, and brain) of male mice dosed with K(2)Cr(2)O(7) (20 mg Cr/kg) by a single ip injection in vivo, and the formation of paramagnetic Cr(V) in these organs was investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry. Furthermore, the in vivo effects of deferoxamine (DFO), an iron chelator, and dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, on the formation of Cr(V) and DNA strand breaks induced by the metal in the liver and kidney were examined. SCG assay detected DNA strand breaks were detected in the liver and kidney at 15 min and showed that they were being repaired at 3 h after Cr(VI) injection. The ESR spectra of paramagnetic Cr(V) were also observed in the liver and kidney for 15 min to 24 h after Cr(VI) injection. In contrast, there were no significant levels of DNA strand breaks and Cr(V) in the spleen, lung, or brain. The pretreatment of mice with DFO reduced the formation of Cr(VI)-induced DNA strand breaks and Cr(V) complexes as well as the total contents of Cr in the liver and kidney at 15 min after the metal injection. In the case of the pretreatment with DMTU, DNA strand breaks induced by Cr(VI) were suppressed in the liver and kidney at 15 min, without any influence on the levels of Cr(V) complexes and total Cr contents in the organs. The in vitro study showed that DFO decreased the levels of Cr(V)-GSH complexes and Cr(V)-mediated hydroxyl radicals, while DMTU reduced only the levels of Cr(V)-mediated hydroxyl radicals without affecting the formation of Cr(V)-GSH complexes. These results demonstrated that the SCG assay may be useful for detecting DNA strand breaks and/or alkali-labile sites caused by Cr(VI) in vivo. The results also indicated that the in vivo formation of hydroxyl radicals during the reduction of Cr(VI) may play an important role in the induction of the DNA strand breaks caused by this metal and implied that the levels of Cr(V) inside the cells may not always be related to the induction of DNA strand breaks.

Differential effect of chromium compounds on the immune response of the African mouth breeder Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters)

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of trivalent (chromic chloride) and hexavalent (potassium dichromate) forms of chromium in the African mouth breeder Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters), with reference to the humoral immune response and lymphoid cells/organs. The 96 h LD50 for hexavalent and trivalent chromium was found to be 75 and 1,000microg fish(-1), respectively. Groups of fishes were injected intraperitoneally with 10, 1, 0.1 and 0.01% LD50 hexavalent and trivalent forms of chromium and subsequently immunised with bovine serum albumin (5 mg in 0.2 ml physiological saline). Both forms of chromium suppressed the antibody response, with hexavalent chromium being more suppressive than trivalent chromium. Reduction in spleen weight, splenocyte number and the percentage of blood lymphocytes was observed following administration of both forms of chromium. The possible immunological mechanisms behind the differential suppression of the antibody response and the reduction in spleen weight, splenocyte and lymphocyte counts are discussed.

Chromium(VI)-induced mutagenesis in the lungs of big blue transgenic mice

The mutagenic activity of the hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] compound potassium dichromate was examined in the Big Blue transgenic mouse lung, the target organ for Cr(VI) carcinogenesis in humans. Mice were exposed to Cr(VI) by intratracheal instillation of a potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) solution. Analysis of the deposition of Cr in mouse lungs revealed that the procedure reproducibly resulted in about 5% retention of the Cr in the lung. Lower but measurable levels were detected in kidney and liver. We found a dose-dependent and time-dependent increase in the mutant frequency in the mouse lung. A significant elevation of the mutant frequency above the spontaneous background was observed two weeks after Cr(VI) intratracheal instillation and at doses above 3 mg/kg. Depletion of tissue glutathione (GSH) levels by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) before Cr(VI) treatment led to a decrease in the Cr(VI)-induced mutant frequency, compared to that in the animals with normal GSH levels, suggesting a role for GSH in the generation of reactive intermediates during the intracellular reduction of Cr(VI). Sequence analysis for the Cr(VI)-induced mutants revealed a similarity to the spontaneous mutational spectrum observed in mouse lungs, consistent with the generation of oxidative-type DNA damage by Cr(VI). These results demonstrate that Cr(VI) is mutagenic in mouse lung, the target organ for human carcinogenesis.

Chromium (VI) increases endothelial cell expression of ICAM-1 and decreases nitric oxide activity

Occupational, airborne pollutants, such as heavy metals, are recognized for inducing injury and cytotoxicity. Chromium(VI) is a redox cycling heavy metal that has been strongly implicated in the initiation of cancer. Its proinflammatory effects, however, have not been systematically examined. In our study, we found that potassium dichromate [Cr(VI)] treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) increased intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) expression at the message level. ICAM message levels remained elevated for 12-24 hours after exposure and increased with time and concentration. Cr(VI) increased the release of superoxide anion without affecting the ability of endothelial cultures to produce nitric oxide. However, Cr(VI) decreased cGMP in HUVEC, suggesting that the nitric oxide produced was scavenged intracellularly. Cr(VI) also increased nitrotyrosine in HUVEC cultures. These data are consistent with the idea that exposure to Cr(VI) increases the production of superoxide anion, which scavenges nitric oxide to increase the formation of peroxynitrite. The loss in nitric oxide activity and increased formation of peroxynitrite likely enhance endothelial cell expression of ICAM-1. Cr(VI)-induced increases in the adhesive properties of the endothelium may play a critical role in the initiation and progression of tissue injury through increased recruitment of proinflammatory white blood cells.

Chromium(VI) induces oxidative stress in the mouse brain

Potassium dichromate was given to female Swiss mice (25 mg/kg per day) orally in water for 1-3 days. Brain homogenates were prepared to evaluate the occurrence of oxidative stress in this organ through the measurement of the antioxidant defense levels, and the extent of lipid peroxidation. In addition, mitochondrial fractions were isolated from brain homogenates to determine the production of reactive oxygen species in this subcellular fraction. The administration of potassium dichromate for 3 days caused increases of 72 and 74% in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, respectively, in the homogenates. The treatment with this metal for 3 days increased brain homogenate chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances by 34 and 29%, respectively. The brain contents of the non-enzymatic antioxidants alpha-tocopherol and sulfhydryl groups decreased by 35 and 32%, respectively. Ascorbic acid levels were not modified by the administration of potassium dichromate. Finally, there was a significant increment in the mitochondrial production of oxidants in the brain of treated mice as compared with controls. These results suggest that chromium(VI) produces an increased formation of reactive oxygen species and brain lipid peroxidation. The increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities reflects an adaptive response against oxidative stress, while the reduction in the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants might be due to their reaction with reactive oxygen species generated during the metabolism of chromium(VI).

Less than additive interaction between cigarette smoke and chromium(VI) in inducing clastogenic damage in rodents

A combination of tobacco smoking with certain agents has been shown to exert synergistic carcinogenic effects. On the other hand, antagonism betweeen smoke and other pulmonary carcinogens has also been documented by both epidemiological and experimental data. In spite of a very large number of studies carried out for decades in workers exposed to hexavalent chromium, the influence of smoking habits on lung carcinogenesis induced by this metal has not been clarified. For this reason, we performed two studies evaluating clastogenic effects in rodents. In the first one, BDF(1) mice were exposed whole-body to mainstream cigarette smoke for 5 days and, on the last day, they received an i.p. injection of potassium dichromate. In the second study, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed whole-body to environmental cigarette smoke for 18 consecutive days and for the same period of time they received daily intra-tracheal instillations of sodium dichromate. Individually, the two hexavalent chromium salts and cigarette smoke, either mainstream or environmental, enhanced the frequency of micronuclei in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes of both mice and rats. Moreover, individual exposure to either environmental cigarette smoke or sodium dichromate enhanced the frequency of micronuclei and multiple nuclei in pulmonary alveolar macrophages of rats. In both studies, combined exposure to cigarette smoke and hexavalent chromium produced less than additive clastogenic effects. These results are consistent with our previous data, showing that hexavalent chromium and either benzo[a]pyrene or cigarette smoke condensate behave antagonistically in in vitro mutagenicity test systems and that the chromium reducing capacity of human pulmonary alveolar macrophages and peripheral lung parenchyma is enhanced in smokers. Taken together, in the absence of any epidemiological evidence, these findings rule out any occurrence of synergism between cigarette smoke and hexavalent chromium, at least in certain stages of the carcinogenesis process.

[Comparative evaluation of the effects of chromium and molybdenum on the digestive function]

The paper describes chromium- and molybdenum-induced digestive functional changes and shows that there is a relationship of the presence, nature, and the degree of manifestation of their effect to the type of a metal, its dose, and the route of administration.

A comparison of the in vitro genotoxicity of tri- and hexavalent chromium

Chromium can be found in the environment in two main valence states: hexavalent (Cr(VI)) and trivalent (Cr(III)). Cr(VI) salts are well known human carcinogens, but the results from in vitro studies are often conflicting. Cr(VI) primarily enters the cells and undergoes metabolic reduction; however, the ultimate product of this reduction, Cr(III) predominates within the cell. In the present work, we compared the effects of tri- and hexavalent chromium on the DNA damage and repair in human lymphocytes using the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Potassium dichromate induced DNA damage in the lymphocytes, measured as the increase in comet tail moment. The effect was dose-dependent. Treated cells were able to recover within a 120-min incubation. Cr(III) caused greater DNA migration than Cr(VI). The lymphocytes did not show measurable DNA repair. Vitamin C at 50 microM reduced the extent of DNA migration. This was either due to a decrease in DNA strand breaks and/or alkali labile sites induced by Cr(VI) or to the formation of DNA crosslinks by Cr(VI) in the presence of vitamin C. Vitamin C, however, did not modify the effects of Cr(III). Catalase, an enzyme inactivating hydrogen peroxide, decreased the extent of DNA damage induced by Cr(VI) but not the one induced by Cr(III). Lymphocytes exposed to Cr(VI) and treated with endonuclease III, which recognizes oxidized pyrimidines, displayed greater extent of DNA damage than those not treated with the enzyme. Such an effect was not observed when Cr(III) was tested. The results obtained suggest that reactive oxygen species and hydrogen peroxide may be involved in the formation of DNA lesions by hexavalent chromium. The comet assay did not indicate the involvement of oxidative mechanisms in the DNA-damaging activity of trivalent chromium and we speculate that its binding to cellular ligands may play a role in its genotoxicity.

Aneugenic effects of some metal compounds assessed by chromosome counting in MRC-5 human cells

Development of a comprehensive test battery is necesary for the evaluation and detection of aneugenic chemicals. The chromosome couting method was used in the present study. The aneugenic ability of cadmium choride (1.0, 2.0 and 4.0x10(-3) mM), cadmium sulfate (3. 3, 6.7x10(-5) and 1.3x10(-4) mM), potassium dichromate (2.5, 5. 0x10(-4) and 1.0x10(-3) mM) and cacodilic acid (1.25, 2.5 and 5. 0x10(-2) mM) were analysed using MRC-5 cells which have a modal diploid number of 2 n=46 with a spontaneous aneuploid or polyploid cells not higher than 13% and 8%, respectively.All compounds induced significant increments of aneuploid cells in relation to negative controls. The frequency of aneuploid cells increased in all treatments with cadmium chloride. Cadmium sulfate induced significant increments of aneuploid cells with the two higher doses. All the doses of potassium dichromate increased the frequency of aneuploid cells although to a lesser degree than the other compounds. In these cases, differences were in the borderline of statistical significance (p<0.05). Moreover, a low number of cells could be analysed in treatments with the highest dose due to the decrease in the mitotic index. Results obtained are coincident with previous reports using the same methodology in the sense that induced aneuploidy was mainly evidenced by the increase of hypodiploid but not hyperdiploid cells. In addition, anaphase-telophase analysis of the effects of the same doses of these metal compounds in CHO cells showed significant increments of lagging chromosomes and increased frequencies of kinetochore positive micronuclei in MRC-5 cells. These findings could be considered as an indication that the main cause of unequal chromosome separation is the failure of kinetochores to attach the spindle apparatus either by alteration of its protein components or by the altered chromatid separation in anaphase.

Genotoxicity of chromium in human gastric mucosa cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes evaluated by the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay)

Hexavalent chromium compounds are well-recognized carcinogens. They easily penetrate the cell membrane and are reduced inside the cell to their trivalent form, which is supposed to react directly with DNA. Chromium is present in some workplaces as well as in water resources and food chain, so it can interact with the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. In order to elucidate the genotoxic potency of chromium in human gastric mucosa (GM) cells, the DNA-damaging effect of potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) was investigated using alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Biopsy samples were obtained during gastroscopy from macroscopically healthy tissue of the stomach. Parallel test with human peripheral blood lymphocytes was also performed. Both types of cells were incubated at 37 degrees C with 1.6 mM of K2Cr2O7 for 1 h and after washing, were placed in a chromium-free medium to examine DNA repair. Alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) was used to assess DNA damage and repair. Chromium introduced a damage to DNA both in the GM cells and lymphocytes. The effect induced by K2Cr2O7 in GM cells was comparable with that caused in the lymphocytes. Treated cells were able to recover within a 60-min incubation in a chromium-free medium at 37 degrees C. The results obtained indicate that hexavalent chromium compounds, which may be found in the diet, can interact directly with DNA of the mucosa of the stomach.

[Plasmid DNA breakage caused by reaction of intracellular redox compound with potassium dichromate]

OBJECTIVE

To study plasmid DNA breakage induced by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI +)) compound in vitro.

METHODS

DNA breakage was observed using plasmid relaxation method.

RESULTS

pUC 118 plasmid DNA single strand breakage can not be caused by either ascorbic acid (1 mmol/L), or glutathione (5 mmol/L), or hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2), 17 mmol/L) or potassium dichromate (K(2)Cr(2)O(7), 0.5 mmol/L) alone. But, if DNA was incubated warmly with K(2)Cr(2)O(7) and intracellular redox compound, pUC118 plasmid DNA single strand breakage could be induced by K(2)Cr(2)O(7), ascorbic acid, or glutathione, or products of peroxidation reaction. K(2)Cr(2)O(7) (0.5 mmol/L) and H(2)O(2) (17 mmol/L) also could cause some double-strand breakage in plasmid.

CONCLUSION

It suggests that ascorbic acid, glutathione and H(2)O(2) can play an important role in carcinogenicity of K(2)Cr(2)O(7).