Statistical methods for the Ames Salmonella assay: a review

Evaluation of genotoxicity and teratogenicity of phillyrin

Phillyrin is extracted from Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl, is significantly higher in (unripe Forsythiae Fructus) Qing qiao than in (ripe Forsythiae Fructus) Lao qiao fruits of the plant. However, the toxicity of phillyrin has not been adequately investigated. The study investigates the genetic and teratogenic effects of phillyrin to determine its safety profile. Assessing the genotoxicity and teratogenicity of phillyrin involved various tests, such as the bacterial reverse mutation assay, mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus assay, spermatocyte chromosome aberration assay, and teratogenicity assay. The results demonstrated that phillyrin exhibited no discernible impact on the following: number of colonies that spontaneously revert for Salmonella typhimurium TA 97, TA98, TA100, TA102, and TA1535, frequency of bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes, and the rate of chromosomal aberrations. In the teratogenicity test, the pregnant rats exhibited no signs of toxicity or abnormal changes, and the growth, embryonic development, and visual anatomy of each pup were normal. In comparison with the negative control group, there were no significant differences in fetal body weight, mortality, deformity rate, malformed nest rate, gravid uterus weight, average number of fetuses per litter, fetal body length, or visceral and skeletal development in each dose group. In conclusion, these findings provide evidence that phillyrin does not exhibit genotoxic or teratogenic effects, supporting its potential safety for pharmacological applications.

Expanded MutaT7 toolkit efficiently and simultaneously accesses all possible transition mutations in bacteria

Targeted mutagenesis mediated by nucleotide base deaminase-T7 RNA polymerase fusions has recently emerged as a novel and broadly useful strategy to power genetic diversification in the context of in vivo directed evolution campaigns. Here, we expand the utility of this approach by introducing a highly active adenosine deaminase-T7 RNA polymerase fusion protein (eMutaT7A→G), resulting in higher mutation frequencies to enable more rapid directed evolution. We also assess the benefits and potential downsides of using this more active mutator. We go on to show in Escherichia coli that adenosine deaminase-bearing mutators (MutaT7A→G or eMutaT7A→G) can be employed in tandem with a cytidine deaminase-bearing mutator (MutaT7C→T) to introduce all possible transition mutations simultaneously. We illustrate the efficacy of this in vivo mutagenesis approach by exploring mutational routes to antibacterial drug resistance. This work sets the stage for general application of optimized MutaT7 tools able to induce all types of transition mutations during in vivo directed evolution campaigns across diverse organisms.

Determination of a positive response in the Ames Salmonella mutagenicity assay

Genetic toxicology tests are used to categorize substances as genotoxic and potentially carcinogenic. In general, test results are designated as mutagenic, not mutagenic, or inconclusive and, depending on its potential use and applicable regulations, a mutagenic result can restrict or remove a substance from further development, or assign limits to its use. In these tests, mutation responses form a continuum without a clear delineation between an increase over the background, untreated, mutant frequency and a frequency that would define the test substance as a mutagen and a potential carcinogenic hazard. This situation is illustrated using the Salmonella mutagenicity (Ames) test which is the initial, and often only, test used to characterize substances as mutagenic or nonmutagenic. It has its widest use by industry and regulatory authorities to identify potential carcinogens among chemicals in development. The OECD Test Guideline No. 471 has been adopted by regulatory agencies internationally, and describes the minimum requirements for a negative response, but does not provide a specific approach for evaluating the test data. The most widely used criterion for making yes-or-no mutagenicity decisions is a 2- or 3-fold increase over the background (solvent) mutant frequency. Other approaches rely on formal statistics and/or expert judgment. These approaches and recently proposed modifications are evaluated here. Recommendations are made that are in conformity with the OECD guideline and are based on biological relevance and the biology of the mutagenic response rather than on arbitrary decision points (e.g., ≥2-fold increase or p ≤ .05).

In vitro genotoxicity potential investigation of 7 oxy-PAHs

Air pollutants include many compounds among them oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (oxy-PAHs). As they are suspected to generate DNA damage and mutagenicity, an understanding of their mode of action could highlight a carcinogenic potential risk in exposed population. In this article, a prospective study on seven oxy-PAHs selected in terms of occurrence in the environment was conducted on mutagenicity, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity potentials using in vitro assays including Ames test on five strains, kinetic analysis of cytotoxicity and apoptosis, phosphorylation of histone H2AX, and p53 induction assays on human lung cell line BEAS-2B. Ames test demonstrated that mutagenicity pattern depended on the oxy-PAH tested. Except for BAQ, all oxy-PAHs tested gave mutagenic effect, in the absence and/or in the presence of metabolic activation (S9 fraction). At 24 h of exposure, the majority of oxy-PAHs induced γ-H2AX in BEAS-2B cells and/or phosphorylation of p53 at serine 15 and cell death at highest tested concentrations. Although 9,10-AQ and B[b]FO were mutagenic in bacteria, they failed to induce any of the other genotoxicity biomarkers. In comparison with the benzo[a]pyrene, all oxy-PAHs were less potent in terms of genotoxic potential at the same concentration. These results highlighted the genotoxic and mutagenic potential of these oxy-PAHs and provide preliminary information concerning their possible mechanism of action for toxicity, contributing to a better evaluation of the real associated health risks for human and environment.

Optimization of the Ames RAMOS test allows for a reproducible high-throughput mutagenicity test

The Ames test is one of the most widely used mutagenicity tests. It employs histidine auxotrophic bacteria, which can mutate back to histidine prototrophy and, thus, grow on a histidine deficient medium. These mutants develop predominantly after adding a mutagenic compound during an initial growth phase on 1 mg/L histidine. In the established test systems, an endpoint determination is performed to determine the relative number of mutants. An alternative Ames test, the Ames RAMOS test, has been developed, which enables the online detection of mutagenicity by monitoring respiration activity. The reproducibility of the newly developed test system was investigated. A strong dependence of the test results on the inoculum volume transferred from the preculture was found. The more inoculum was needed to reach the required initial OD, the more mutagenic a positive control was evaluated. This effect was attributed to the histidine transfer from the preculture to the original Ames RAMOS test. The same problem is evident in the Ames fluctuation test. High reproducibility of the Ames RAMOS test could be achieved by performing the preculture on minimal medium with a defined histidine concentration and termination after histidine depletion. By using 5 mg/L initial histidine within the minimal medium, a higher separation efficiency between negative control and mutagenic samples could be achieved. This separation efficiency could be further increased by lowering the cultivation temperature from 37 to 30 °C, i.e. lowering the maximum growth rate. The optimized Ames RAMOS test was then transferred into a 48-well microtiter plate format (μRAMOS) for obtaining a high throughput test. The online detection of mutagenicity leads to a reduction of working time in the laboratory. Due to the optimization of reproducibility and the increase in separation efficiency, a sound mutagenicity evaluation, even of weak mutagenic compounds, can be achieved.

Recommended criteria for the evaluation of bacterial mutagenicity data (Ames test)

A committee was constituted within the International Workshop on Genetic Toxicology Testing (IWGT) to evaluate the current criteria for a valid Ames test and to provide recommendations for interpretation of test results. Currently, determination of a positive vs. a negative result is made by applying various data evaluation procedures for comparing dosed plates with the concurrent solvent control plates. These evaluation procedures include a requirement for a specific fold increase (2- or 3-fold, specific to the bacterial strain), formal statistical procedures, or subjective (expert judgment) evaluation. After extensive discussion, the workgroup was not able to reach consensus recommendations in favor of any of these procedures. There was a consensus that combining additional evaluation criteria to the comparison between dosed plates and the concurrent solvent control plates improves test interpretation. The workgroup recommended using these additional criteria because the induction of mutations is a continuum of responses and there is no biological relevance to a strict dividing line between a positive (mutagenic) and not-positive (nonmutagenic) response. The most useful additional criteria identified were a concentration-response relationship and consideration of a possible increase above the concurrent control in the context of the laboratory's historical solvent control values for the particular tester strain. The workgroup also emphasized the need for additional testing to resolve weak or inconclusive responses, usually with altered experimental conditions chosen based on the initial results. Use of these multiple criteria allowed the workgroup to reach consensus on definitions of "clear positive" and "clear negative" responses which would not require a repeat test for clarification. The workgroup also reached consensus on recommendations to compare the responses of concurrent positive and negative controls to historical control distributions for assay acceptability, and the use of control charts to determine the validity of the individual test.

In Vitro Genotoxicity Testing: Significance and Use in Environmental Monitoring

There is ongoing concern about the consequences of mutations in humans and biota arising from environmental exposures to industrial and other chemicals. Genetic toxicity tests have been used to analyze chemicals, foods, drugs, and environmental matrices such as air, water, soil, and wastewaters. This is because the mutagenicity of a substance is highly correlated with its carcinogenicity. However, no less important are the germ cell mutations, because the adverse outcome is related not only to an individual but also to population levels. For environmental analysis the most common choices are in vitro assays, and among them the most widely used is the Ames test (Salmonella/microsome assay). There are several protocols and methodological approaches to be applied when environmental samples are tested and these are discussed in this chapter, along with the meaning and relevance of the obtained responses. Two case studies illustrate the utility of in vitro mutagenicity tests such as the Ames test. It is clear that, although it is not possible to use the outcome of the test directly in risk assessment, the application of the assays provides a great opportunity to monitor the exposure of humans and biota to mutagenic substances for the purpose of reducing or quantifying that exposure.

Use of low density polyethylene membranes for assessment of genotoxicity of PAHs in the Seine River

The genotoxicity of river water dissolved contaminants is usually estimated after grab sampling of river water. Water contamination can now be obtained with passive samplers that allow a time-integrated sampling of contaminants. Since it was verified that low density polyethylene membranes (LDPE) accumulate labile hydrophobic compounds, their use was proposed as a passive sampler. This study was designed to test the applicability of passive sampling for combined chemical and genotoxicity measurements. The LDPE extracts were tested with the umu test (TA1535/pSK1002 ± S9) and the Ames assay (TA98, TA100 and YG1041 ± S9). We describe here this new protocol and its application in two field studies on four sites of the Seine River. Field LDPE extracts were negative with the YG1041 and TA100 and weakly positive with the TA98 + S9 and Umu test. Concentrations of labile mutagenic PAHs were higher upstream of Paris than downstream of Paris. Improvement of the method is needed to determine the genotoxicity of low concentrations of labile dissolved organic contaminants.

Mapping Indicators of Toxicity for Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds in the Atmosphere of the Athabasca Oil Sands Region

Extracts of passive air samples collected from 15 passive sampling network sites across the Athabasca Oil Sands region were used to explore the application of in vitro assays for mutagenicity (Salmonella mutation assays) and cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase assay) to assess the toxicity of the air mixture. The air monitoring of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and PAC transformation products, including nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) and oxygenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs) was then linked to the potential toxicity of air. The PACs in air during April to May 2014 were elevated near mining activities and declined with distance from the source region, whereas NPAHs and OPAHs exhibited a more variable spatial distribution with the highest levels in Fort McMurray. Overall, the air samples exhibited a weak mutagenicity. The highest indirect-acting mutagenicity was observed for sites closest to mining activities; however, the indirect-acting mutagenicity did not decline sharply with distance from mining areas. Indirect-acting mutagenicity was strongly correlated with levels of total PACs, benzo(a)pyrene equivalent mass, and OPAHs. Most of the samples exhibited cytotoxic potential, but the magnitude of the response was variable across the sample region and did not correlate with levels of target analytes. This indicates that PACs and PAC derivatives were not a major contributor to the cytotoxicity observed in the air samples.

Detoxification of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Maize by Neutral Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water

Aflatoxins, a group of extremely toxic mycotoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nomius, can occur as natural contaminants of certain agricultural commodities, particularly maize. These toxins have been shown to be hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and cause severe human and animal diseases. The effectiveness of neutral electrolyzed oxidizing water (NEW) on aflatoxin detoxification was investigated in HepG2 cells using several validation methodologies such as the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, the induction of lipid peroxidation, the oxidative damage by means of glutathione modulation, the Ames test and the alkaline Comet assay. Our results showed that, after the aflatoxin-contaminated maize containing 360 ng/g was soaked in NEW (60 mg/L available chlorine, pH 7.01) during 15 min at room temperature, the aflatoxin content did not decrease as confirmed by the immunoaffinity column and ultra performance liquid chromatography methods. Aflatoxin fluorescence strength of detoxified samples was similar to untreated samples. However, aflatoxin-associated cytotoxicity and OPEN ACCESS Toxins 2015, 7 4295 genotoxicity effects were markedly reduced upon treatment. According to these results, NEW can be effectively used to detoxify aflatoxin-contaminated maize.

Assessment of genotoxicity of herbal medicinal products: application of the "bracketing and matrixing" concept using the example of Valerianae radix (valerian root)

An assessment of genotoxicity is a precondition for marketing authorization respectively registration of herbal medicinal products (HMPs), as well as for inclusion into the 'Community list of herbal substances, preparations and combinations thereof for use in traditional herbal medicinal products' established by the European Commission in accordance with Directive 2001/83/EC as amended, and based on proposals from the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). In the 'Guideline on the assessment of genotoxicity of herbal substances/preparations' (EMEA/HMPC/107079/2007) HMPC has described a stepwise approach for genotoxicity testing, according to which the Ames test is a sufficient base for the assessment of genotoxicity in case of an unequivocally negative result. For reducing efforts for testing of individual herbal substances/preparations, HMPC has also developed the 'guideline on selection of test materials for genotoxicity testing for traditional herbal medicinal products/herbal medicinal products' (EMEA/HMPC/67644/2009) with the aim to allow testing of a standard range of test materials which could be considered representative of the commonly used preparations from a specific herbal drug according to a 'bracketing/matrixing' approach. The purpose of this paper is to provide data on the practical application of this bracketing and matrixing concept using the example of Valerianae radix, with the intention of facilitating its inclusion in the "Community list". Five extraction solvents, representing the extremes of the polarity range and including also mid-range extraction solvents, were used, covering the entire spectrum of phytochemical constituents of Valerianae radix, thereby including polar and non-polar constituents. Extracts were tested in the Ames test according to all relevant guidelines. Results were unequivocally negative for all extracts. A review of the literature showed that this result is in accordance with the available data, thus demonstrating the lack of a genotoxic potential. In conclusion the two guidelines on genotoxicity provide a practically applicable concept. Valerianae radix has no genotoxic potential, supporting its use in HMPs and its inclusion in the Community list.

Cytotoxic and genotoxic evaluation of tortillas produced by microwave heating during alkaline-cooking of aflatoxin-contaminated maize

In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induction by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) from maize (ME) and tortillas (TE) produced by microwave nixtamalization were investigated in monkey kidney (Vero cells) using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, the induction of lipid peroxidation, the oxidative damage by means of glutathione (GSH) depletion, and the Salmonella-microsomal screening system (Ames test). Our results showed that, at higher concentrations, both ME and TE extracts that contained varying amounts of aflatoxin caused a considerable decrease in Vero cell viability (up to 37%) after 4 h of exposure. Aflatoxins from ME induced greater oxidative damage by enhancing lipid peroxidation (up to 6.05 ± 0.14 μmol/mg protein) as compared to TE; however, TE also induced significant malondialdehyde formation in particular at the higher aflatoxin concentration tested (up to 2.7 ± 0.19 μmol/mg protein). The decrease in GSH level was also more pronounced in ME as compared to TE. Moreover, the Ames test results indicated that the mutagenic activity of TE was greatly reduced compared with that of ME based on his(-) → his(+) reversions in the Salmonella TA100 strain. According to these results, it is concluded that the microwave nixtamalization procedure reduced aflatoxins and their in vitro toxicity and mutagenic activity.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

In Mexico, aflatoxins are often found in maize destined for the tortilla industry; consequently, tortilla consumption invariably leads to an important intake of intact and/or modified aflatoxin molecules caused by the thermal-alkaline treatment used during production. Therefore, it is of the highest importance to check whether such intake has the potential to lead to higher risk for adverse human health effects. In view of these considerations, in vitro tests may thus be useful for predicting the potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of tortillas produced for human consumption using aflatoxin-contaminated maize.

Approach for detecting mutagenicity of biodegraded and ozonated pharmaceuticals, metabolites and transformation products from a drinking water perspective

Many pharmaceuticals and related metabolites are not efficiently removed in sewage treatment plants and enter into surface water. There, they might be subject of drinking water abstraction and treatment by ozonation. In this study, a systematic approach for producing and effect-based testing of transformation products (TPs) during the drinking water ozonation process is proposed. For this, two pharmaceutical parent substances, three metabolites and one environmental degradation product were investigated with respect to their biodegradability and fate during drinking water ozonation. The Ames test (TA98, TA100) was used for the identification of mutagenic activity present in the solutions after testing inherent biodegradability and/or after ozonation of the samples. Suspicious results were complemented with the umu test. Due to the low substrate concentration required for ozonation, all ozonated samples were concentrated via solid phase extraction (SPE) before performing the Ames test. With the exception of piracetam, all substances were only incompletely biodegradable, suggesting the formation of stable TPs. Metformin, piracetam and guanylurea could not be removed completely by the ozonation process. We received some evidence that technical TPs are formed by ozonation of metformin and piracetam, whereas all tested metabolites were not detectable by analytical means after ozonation. In the case of guanylurea, one ozonation TP was identified by LC/MS. None of the experiments showed an increase of mutagenic effects in the Ames test. However, the SPE concentration procedure might lead to false-positive results due to the generation of mutagenic artefacts or might lead to false-negative results by missing adequate recovery efficiency. Thus, these investigations should always be accompanied by process blank controls that are carried out along the whole ozonation and SPE procedure. The study presented here is a first attempt to investigate the significance of transformation products by a systematic approach. However, the adequacy and sensitivity of the methodology need to be further investigated. The approach of combining biodegradation and ozonation with effect-based assays is a promising tool for the early detection of potential hazards from TPs as drinking water contaminants. It can support the strategy for the evaluation of substances and metabolites in drinking water. A multitude of possible factors which influence the results have to be carefully considered, among them the selectivity and sensibility of the mutagenicity test applied, the extraction method for concentrating the relevant compounds and the biocompatibility of the solvent. Therefore, the results have to be carefully interpreted, and possible false-negative and false-positive results should be considered.

Genotoxicity of sediment extracts of the Berre lagoon (France)

To evaluate the genotoxic risk that contaminated sediment could constitute for benthic organisms, three contaminated (VA, VC and VN) and one uncontaminated (RN) sediment samples were collected in the Berre lagoon (France). Potentially bioavailable contaminants in sediments were obtained using sediment extraction with synthetic seawater adjusted to pH 4 or pH 6, simulating the range of pH prevailing in the digestive tract of benthic organisms. The genotoxic activities of these extracts were evaluated by three short-term bioassays: the Salmonella mutagenicity test using the Salmonella typhimurium strain TA102, the alkaline comet assay and the micronucleus assay on the Chinese Hamster Ovary cells CHO-K1. Results of the Salmonella mutagenicity assay detected a mutagenic response for RN extract at pH 6, and for VA extract at pH 4. Results of the comet and micronucleus assays detected low genotoxic/clastogenic activities for VA and VC extracts at pH 6 and higher activities for RN, VA and VC extracts at pH 4. To identify if metals (Al, Fe, Mn, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) were involved in these genotoxic activities, their concentrations were determined in the extracts, and their speciation was assessed by thermodynamic calculations. Results showed that extracts from sites VA, VC and VN generally presented the highest trace metal contents for both extractants, while the site RN presented lower trace metal contents but the highest Fe and Mn contents. Thermodynamic calculations indicated that Fe, Mn, As and in a lower extend Co, Ni and Zn were mainly present under free forms in extracts, and were consequently, more likely able to induce a genotoxic effect. Results globally showed no correspondence between free metal contents and genotoxic activities. They suggested that these positive results could be due to uncharacterized compounds, acting as direct genotoxic agents or enhancing the genotoxic properties of analyzed metals.

Mutagenic assessment of Prestige fuel oil spilled on the shore and submitted to field trials of bioremediation

The mutagenicy of the slightly weathered fuel oil from the Prestige oil spill and the effects of different bioremediation products (nutrients and/or microorganisms and biodiesel) on the potential mutagenic activity of this heavy fuel oil spilled on the shore were evaluated for a period of 1 year using the Ames Salmonella assay with strains TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537 in the absence and presence of exogenous metabolic activation (S9 fraction from rat liver). The in situ bioremediation experiment was performed using tiles located in the supra-littoral and intertidal zones of a beach seriously affected by the fuel oil spill. The results obtained showed the mutagenic activity of the slightly weathered fuel oil extracts at the beginning of the experiment in strain TA98 that persisted for more than 150 days in both the untreated control and treated tiles independently of the zone of the beach considered. However, after 360 days neither the control nor the treated tiles in the intertidal zone showed mutagenic activity and a weak positive response in strain TA98 was detected for the control fuel oil extracts from supra-littoral tiles. The application of biodiesel to accelerate the biodegradation of this type of fuel oil may constitute a further genotoxic hazard to the environment, since the mutagenic response achieved from the biodiesel-fuel oil mixture in the first samplings (days 0 and 30) was more potent than that obtained from the control tiles. The mutagenic activity was detected along the study with S. typhimurium TA98 in both the presence and absence of S9 microsomal fraction, but the addition of S9 fraction in the assay always increased the number of revertants induced. In general, these findings suggest that the bioremediation strategies used were not effective in eliminating the genotoxic hazard associated with this heavy fuel oil attached to rocky substrate since they did not achieve a decrease in the mutagenic response with respect to the untreated control tiles. These data also confirm that genotoxicity assays should be used to evaluate the effectiveness of bioremediation efforts associated with oil spills for a better risk assessment.

Comparison of two extraction procedures for the assessment of sediment genotoxicity: implication of polar organic compounds

Four sediment samples (Vaïne Airport VA, Vaïne Center VC, Vaïne North VN and Reference North RN) were collected in the Berre lagoon (France). Sediments were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by use of pressurized fluid extraction with a mixture of hexane/dichloromethane followed by HPLC with fluorescence detection analysis. Organic pollutants were also extracted with two solvents for subsequent evaluation of their genotoxicity: a hexane/dichloromethane mixture intended to select non-polar compounds such as PAHs, and 2-propanol intended to select polar contaminants. Sediment extracts were assessed by the Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity test with Salmonella typhimurium TA98+S9 mix and YG1041±S9 mix. Extracts were also assessed for their DNA-damaging activity and their clastogenic/aneugenic properties by the comet assay and the micronucleus test with Chinese Hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The PAH concentrations were 611ngg(-1)dw, 1341ngg(-1) dw, 613ngg(-1)dw and 482ngg(-1)dw for VA, VC, VN and RN, respectively. Two genotoxic profiles were observed, depending on the extraction procedure. All the non-polar extracts were mutagenic for TA98+S9 mix, and VA, VC, VN sediment samples exerted a significant DNA-damaging and clastogenic activity in the presence of S9 mix. All the polar extracts appeared mutagenic for TA98+S9 mix and YG104±S9 mix, and VA, VC, VN were genotoxic and clastogenic both with and without S9 mix. These results indicate that the genotoxic and mutagenic activities mainly originated from PAHs in the non-polar extracts, while these activities came from other genotoxic contaminants, such as aromatic amines and nitroarenes, in the polar extracts. This study focused on the important role of uncharacterized polar contaminants such as nitro-PAHs or aromatic amines in the global mutagenicity of sediments. The necessity to use appropriate extraction solvents to accurately evaluate the genotoxic hazard of aquatic sediments is also highlighted.

Mutagenic activity of airborne particulate matter (PM10) in a sugarcane farming area (Araraquara city, southeast Brazil)

Brazil contains 25% of the total land planted with sugarcane in the world and is thus one of the major producers. The annual burning of sugarcane fields prior to harvesting emits huge amounts of pyrogenic particles. Biomass burning is an important primary and secondary source of aerosol particles. The presence of carbonaceous particles in the inhalable size range makes it important to study this fraction in view of the possible effects on human health and the climate. In this study, the mutagenic activity associated with inhalable airborne particulate matter (PM(10)) collected on air filters in a sugarcane-growing area near the city of Araraquara (SE Brazil) was determined. The extracts were dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide and tested for mutagenicity by the Ames plate incorporation test with Salmonella typhimurium YG1024 in the presence and absence of the S9 mixture. To assess the association between mutagenicity and PM(10), samples were collected in sugarcane harvesting and non-harvesting periods of the year. Significant mutagenicity was detected in organic solvent extracts of all samples, with differences between the two periods. The highest values of mutagenic potency (13.45 and 5.72 revertants/m(3) of air in the absence and presence of the S9 mixture, respectively) were observed during the harvest. In this period, a Teflon™-coated glass-fiber air filter trapped 67.0 μg of particulate matter per m(3) of air. In the non-harvest period, on the same type of filter, only 20.9 μg of particulate matter was found per m(3). The mutagenic potencies at this time were 1.30 and 1.04 revertants/m(3) of air, in the absence and presence of the S9 mixture, respectively. Period, concentration of PM(10) and mutagenicity were associated with each other. For routine monitoring of mutagenicity in the atmosphere, the use of YG1024 tester strain without metabolic activation (S9) is recommended.

Umbuzeiro G, DeMarini DM. The Salmonella mutagenicity assay: the stethoscope of genetic toxicology for the 21st century

OBJECTIVES

According to the 2007 National Research Council report Toxicology for the Twenty-First Century, modern methods (e.g., "omics," in vitro assays, high-throughput testing, computational methods) will lead to the emergence of a new approach to toxicology. The Salmonella mammalian microsome mutagenicity assay has been central to the field of genetic toxicology since the 1970s. Here we document the paradigm shifts engendered by the assay, the validation and applications of the assay, and how the assay is a model for future in vitro toxicology assays.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge using key words relevant to the Salmonella assay and additional genotoxicity assays.

DATA EXTRACTION

We merged the citations, removing duplicates, and categorized the papers by year and topic.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The Salmonella assay led to two paradigm shifts: that some carcinogens were mutagens and that some environmental samples (e.g., air, water, soil, food, combustion emissions) were mutagenic. Although there are > 10,000 publications on the Salmonella assay, covering tens of thousands of agents, data on even more agents probably exist in unpublished form, largely as proprietary studies by industry. The Salmonella assay is a model for the development of 21st century in vitro toxicology assays in terms of the establishment of standard procedures, ability to test various agents, transferability across laboratories, validation and testing, and structure-activity analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to a stethoscope as a first-line, inexpensive tool in medicine, the Salmonella assay can serve a similar, indispensable role in the foreseeable future of 21st century toxicology.

Organic pollution and genotoxicity of sediments of the Palun marshes (Berre lagoon, France)

The impact of industrial, rural, and urban activities on two runnels (B1, B2, and B3 from Beausset runnel and V1 and V2 from Vallat du Ceinturon runnel) located in the Palun marshes (Berre lagoon, France) was evaluated by analyzing 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), 1-aminopyrene (1-AP), and six pesticides in sediment samples. The mutagenicity was assessed with the Salmonella mutagenicity test using tester strains TA98+S9 Mix and YG1041 +/- S9 Mix. The clastogenicity was evaluated with the micronucleus assay on Chinese Ovarian cells +/- S9 Mix. A gradient of PAHs concentrations was observed from B1 (3359 microg kg(-1) dry weight [dw]), close to industrial zones, to V2 (497 microg kg(-1) dw), away from the source of pollution. Similar gradient was noted for 1-AP (from B1: 11.8 microg kg(-1) dw to V2: 0.6 microg kg(-1) dw). However, this trend was not observed in 1-NP concentrations (concentrations ranged from 1.2 microg kg(-1) dw [V1] to 0.4 microg kg(-1) dw [B1]). Pesticides were detected in all samples. Diazinon and dieldrin were found in high concentrations in B1 extracts (74.5 and 39.9 microg.kg(-1) dw, respectively). All the sediments except V2 were mutagenic with strain TA98+S9 Mix. The mutagenicity was linked to the presence of PAHs (V1), nitroarenes (B1 and B3) and aromatic amines (B2). All sediments were clastogenic with and without S9 Mix except V1 extract, which was negative without S9 Mix. Overall, the two runnels in the Palun marshes were found to be polluted by many organic compounds that originate from direct human activities and pose a significant genotoxic risk.

DNA-damaging, mutagenic, and clastogenic activities of gentiopicroside isolated from Cephalaria kotschyi roots

Gentiopicroside (1) is the major secoiridoid glucoside constituent of Cephalaria kotschyi roots. The mutagenicity, DNA-damaging capacities, and clastogenicity of this molecule were evaluated by the Salmonella typhimurium mutagenicity assay (Ames test) on tester strains TA97a, TA98, TA100, and TA102, the alkaline comet assay, and the micronucleus assay on CHO cells. All tests were performed with and without the metabolization mixture, S9 mix. In the Ames test, the mutagenicity of 1 was limited to TA102 without S9 mix (2.3 rev microg(-1)). The genotoxicity was more evident without S9 mix (0.78 OTMchi(2) units microg(-1) mL) than with the metabolic mixture (0.16 OTMchi(2) units microg(-1) mL) with the comet assay. Similarly, the clastogenicity without S9 mix was 0.99 MNC microg(-1) mL and 0.38 MNC microg(-1) mL with S9 mix in the micronucleus assay. The interaction of 1 with DNA is probably through the involvement of oxidative DNA lesions.

Evaluation of in vitro assays for assessing the toxicity of cigarette smoke and smokeless tobacco

BACKGROUND

In vitro toxicology studies of tobacco and tobacco smoke have been used to understand why tobacco use causes cancer and to assess the toxicologic impact of tobacco product design changes. The need for toxicology studies has been heightened given the Food and Drug Administration's newly granted authority over tobacco products for mandating tobacco product performance standards and evaluate manufacturers' health claims about modified tobacco products. The goal of this review is to critically evaluate in vitro toxicology methods related to cancer for assessing tobacco products and to identify related research gaps.

METHODS

PubMed database searches were used to identify tobacco-related in vitro toxicology studies published since 1980. Articles published before 1980 with high relevance also were identified. The data were compiled to examine (a) the goals of the study, (b) the methods for collecting test substances, (c) experimental designs, (d) toxicologic end points, and (e) relevance to cancer risk.

RESULTS

A variety of in vitro assays are available to assess tobacco smoke that address different modes of action, mostly using non-human cell models. However, smokeless tobacco products perform poorly in these assays. Although reliable as a screening tool for qualitative assessments, the available in vitro assays have been poorly validated for quantitative comparisons of different tobacco products. Assay batteries have not been developed, although they exist for nontobacco assessments. Extrapolating data from in vitro studies to human risks remains hypothetical.

CONCLUSIONS

In vitro toxicology methods are useful for screening toxicity, but better methods are needed for today's context of regulation and evaluation of health claims.

Chemical and toxicological characterization of commercial smokeless tobacco products available on the Canadian market

Some health experts are recommending that smokers who refuse to quit or refuse to use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as nicotine-containing chewing gum switch to certain types of smokeless tobacco products (STP) such as Swedish snus. Other health experts disagree citing the uncertainty in the composition of commercially available STP, the lack of governmental regulations to ensure that STP advertised to meet certain standards (i.e., GothiaTek) do actually meet such standards, and the uncertainty that any STP can provide as safe as alternative to smoking as NRT. One reason for uncertainty is the dearth of detailed chemical and toxicological information on contemporary STP. Unlike the situation with cigarettes, there are few standardized methods for analytical and toxicological studies of STP. Consequently, the objective for this work was to characterize several types of STP available on the Canadian market using the modifications of the Official Health Canada chemical and toxicological methods developed for cigarettes. Moist snuff samples tested had TSNA and B[a]P levels somewhat above the GothiaTek standard while samples of Swedish snus, low-moisture snuff, and US-style chewing tobacco did not. Use of in vitro assays to assess STP toxicity was of limited utility in distinguishing product types.

Ames test evaluation of two commercially available zero-valent nickel compounds

Zero-valent nickel compounds are organometallic chemicals that are used in synthetic applications and may also occur as intermediates in nickel-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions used in food processing. Few studies have been performed on their possible genotoxic actions. We have tested two commercially available examples of this class of compounds. Solubility and stability were examined. Mutagenicity testing did not confirm a previous report that bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel is positive in the Ames assay. No stimulation of lipid peroxidation was observed in studies of bovine erythrocytes exposed in vitro. Our results do not indicate that zero-valent nickel compounds have genotoxic effects.

Statistical analysis of in vitro data for risk assessment - exemplified for a case of Ames test data

Ames test data of experiments with smoke of six cigarette types were used for dose-response analysis and for derivation of a measure of mutagenic potency. Each cigarette type had been tested using a smoking machine and four dilutions of the smoke of each of seven cycles (one to seven cigarettes). Three plates had been exposed per cigarette number/smoke dilution combination and three control plates had been simultaneously exposed to clean air with each set of smoke-exposed plates. It was the aim of the statistical analysis to determine the slopes of dose-response relationships of various cigarette types and to compare them using statistical tests. Basically, the following procedure is recommended: (1) calculate a dose measure on the basis of the number of smoked cigarettes per cycle and dilution air flow. (2) Use the absolute count values of the individual plates as effect variable. (3) Describe the dose-response relations of the individual cigarette types on the basis of all available data with a polynomial model by means of Poisson regression analysis accounting for overdispersion. (4) Identify the linear dose-response region using the likelihood ratio test and restrict the data set to this region. (5) Use the slope of the linear model in the restricted data set as the basis of the mutagenicity measure. (6) Compare the slope for the individual cigarette type with the slope for a reference cigarette by means of multivariate Poisson regression using the likelihood ratio test and accounting for overdispersion. It is finally recommended to express the mutagenic potency as percentages related to the reference cigarette K2R4F. This type of cigarette was set here equal to 100%; the following values are then obtained for some commercially available cigarette types: type A 25%, type B 90%, type C 119%, type D 13%, type E 59%. The differences are statistically significant.

Evaluation of the genotoxicity of river sediments from industrialized and unaffected areas using a battery of short-term bioassays

The present investigation evaluated the capacity of the Salmonella mutagenicity test, the comet assay, and the micronucleus assay to detect and characterize the genotoxic profile of river sediments. Three stations were selected on an urban river (Bouches du Rhône, France) exposed to various sources of industrial and urban pollution (StA, StB, and StC) and one station on its tributary (StD). One station in a nonurban river was included (REF). The concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by HPLC, and the genotoxicity of the sediments was monitored by the Salmonella mutagenicity test (TA98 + S9, YG1041 +/- S9), the comet assay, and the micronucleus assay on CHO cells. Chemical analysis showed that the total PAH concentrations ranged from 23 microg kg(-1) dw (REF) to 1285 microg kg(-1) dw (StD). All the sediments were mutagenic in the Salmonella mutagenicity test. The mutagenicity was probably induced by the presence of nitroarenes (StA, StB, StC, and StD) and aromatic amines (REF) as deduced from the mutagenicity profiles of strains YG1041 +/- S9 and TA98 + S9. The comet assay revealed direct DNA lesions in REF, StA, and StB sediments and metabolization-dependent DNA damage in StC and StD. The micronucleus assay showed an absence of clastogenicity for StA +/- S9 and StC-S9, and a significant clastogenicity +/- S9 for the three other stations. The genotoxicity ranking determined by the comet assay + S9 matched the ranking of total and carcinogenic PAH concentrations, and this assay was found to be the most sensitive.

A comparative study of the mutagenicity of various types of tobacco products

Toxicological data are an important aspect of tobacco product characterization. In this study, TPM (Total Particulate Matter) (three replicates) was collected from cigarettes [five brands, ISO conditions: puff volume, 35 mL; duration, 2s; interval, 60s (35/2/60)], cigars (two brands, 45/2/30), cigarillos (two brands, 35/2/60), bidis (two brands, 45/2/30), and pipe tobacco (two brands, 50/2/12). TPM was extracted from the Cambridge filter pad using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Smokeless tobacco (ST) (six brands) was extracted with DMSO using an ultrasonic homogenizer. Both types of extracts were filtered and stored at -80 degrees C. All extracts were analyzed for humectants, water and nicotine. Mutagenic activity was assessed per OECD guideline 471 using Salmonella typhimurium TA98+S9 and TA100+S9. TA98+S9 response (specific activity expressed as revertants/mg nicotine) was greatest for the cigarette fabricated with dark, air-cured tobaccos. Average product responses with TA98+S9 based on nicotine and relative to cigarettes (excluding dark tobacco) were cigars, 242%; cigarillos, 238%; bidis, 91%; and pipe tobacco, 44%. ST response was not significant for TA98+S9. Corresponding values for TA100+S9 were cigars, 189%; cigarillos, 155%; pipe tobacco, 130%; bidis, 114% and ST, 34%. ST TA100+S9 response ranged from a low of 501 to a high of 8547 revertants/mg nicotine, depending on ST composition.

Evaluation of a battery of Salmonella typhimurium tester strains for biomonitoring of mutagenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitroarenes and aromatic amines

Various combinations of Salmonella typhimurium tester strains and S9 mix for bioactivation (TA98+S9 mix, TA98S; YG1041+S9 mix, YG1041S) and strain YG1041 in the absence of S9 mix (YG1041) were used to evaluate the mutagenic activity of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), seven nitroarenes (NAs) and seven aromatic amines (AAs). Three cigarette smoke extracts and two extracts of smokers' urine (SUE) were also included. Urinary mutagenicity was then determined on 31 individuals, potentially exposed to PAHs, for 0 h, 7 h, 12 h and 24 h. Concentrations of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHP) and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3OHBaP), the levels of atmospheric pyrene (Py) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), and particulate concentrations in air (AP) were also measured. PAHs could be detected by TA98S and YG1041S, with TA98S being more sensitive than YG1041S. While NAs could be detected by all combinations, YG1041 and YG1041S were more sensitive than TA98S. Although both YG1041S and TA98S could detect AAs, YG1041S was more sensitive than TA98S. Cigarette smoke extract contained mutagenic AAs and NAs, but AAs were the only mutagenic compounds detected in the extracts of smokers' urine. The concentrations of 1OHP (7 h and 12 h) were significantly higher than those at 0 h, but no difference could be detected with 3OHBaP. Correlations were found between Py and 1OHP (7 h and 24 h) and between BaP and 3OHBaP concentrations (7 h, 12 h and 24 h). A significantly elevated urinary mutagenicity was detected with YG1041S at 7h in the group of smokers. A good correlation was determined between AP and the test results with TA98S (7 h) and with YG1041 (0 h and 7 h). Urinary 1OHP correlated with the test results with YG1041S (0 h, 7 h and 12 h) while 3OHBaP correlated with those obtained with YG1041S (7 h). Overall, 21/31 individuals were occupationally exposed to AAs, 15/31 individuals were exposed to NAs, and 2/31 were exposed to PAHs as indicated by the Salmonella mutagenicity assay. The urine mutagenicity test was not effective at monitoring occupational exposure to PAHs. However, the correlation with AP implied the presence of unknown mutagenic atmospheric substances that could modulate the urinary mutagenicity.

Toxicity and tissue distribution of magnetic nanoparticles in mice

The development of technology enables the reduction of material size in science. The use of particle reduction in size from micro to nanoscale not only provides benefits to diverse scientific fields but also poses potential risks to humans and the environment. For the successful application of nanomaterials in bioscience, it is essential to understand the biological fate and potential toxicity of nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological distribution as well as the potential toxicity of magnetic nanoparticles to enable their diverse applications in life science, such as drug development, protein detection, and gene delivery. We recently synthesized biocompatible silica-overcoated magnetic nanoparticles containing rhodamine B isothiocyanate (RITC) within a silica shell of controllable thickness [MNPs@SiO2(RITC)]. In this study, the MNPs@SiO2(RITC) with 50-nm thickness were used as a model nanomaterial. After intraperitoneal administration of MNPs@SiO2(RITC) for 4 weeks into mice, the nanoparticles were detected in the brain, indicating that such nanosized materials can penetrate blood-brain barrier (BBB) without disturbing its function or producing apparent toxicity. After a 4-week observation, MNPs@SiO2(RITC) was still present in various organs without causing apparent toxicity. Taken together, our results demonstrated that magnetic nanoparticles of 50-nm size did not cause apparent toxicity under the experimental conditions of this study.

Safety and efficacy evaluation of aqueous citric acid to degrade B-aflatoxins in maize

Chemical inactivation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) in maize grain by means of 1N aqueous citric acid was confirmed by the AFLATEST immunoaffinity column method, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the Ames test (Salmonella-microsomal screening system). The AFLATEST assay showed that aflatoxins in the maize grain with an initial concentration of 29 ng/g were completely degraded and 96.7% degradation occurred in maize contaminated with 93 ng/g when treated with the aqueous citric acid. Aflatoxin fluorescence strength of acidified samples was much weaker than untreated samples as observed in HPLC chromatograms. On the other hand, the Ames test results indicated that the mutagenic activity of acidified samples was greatly reduced compared with that of untreated samples based on his- --> his+ reversions in the Salmonella TA100 strain. Chemical inactivation appears to be a promising method of removing aflatoxin from food commodities.

CP-arene oxides: the ultimate, active mutagenic forms of cyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CP-PAHs)

The bacterial mutagenic response (Ames-assay, Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98+/-S9-mix) of a series of monocyclopenta-fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CP-PAHs) identified in combustion exhausts, viz. cyclopenta[cd]pyrene (1), acephenanthrylene (2), aceanthrylene (3) and cyclopenta[hi]chrysene (4), is re-evaluated. The mutagenic effects are compared with those exerted by the corresponding partially hydrogenated derivatives, 3,4-dihydrocyclopenta[cd]pyrene (5), 4,5-dihydroacephenanthrylene (6), 1,2-dihydroaceanthrylene (7) and 4,5-dihydrocyclopenta[hi]chrysene (8). It is shown that the olefinic bond of the externally fused five-membered ring of 1, 3 and 4 is of importance for a positive mutagenic response. In contrast, whilst CP-PAH 2 is found inactive, its dihydro analogue (6) shows a weak metabolism-dependent response. The importance of epoxide formation at the external olefinic bond in the five-membered ring is substantiated by the bacterial mutagenic response of independently synthesized cyclopenta[cd]pyrene-3,4-epoxide (9), acephenanthrylene-4,5-epoxide (10), aceanthrylene-1,2-epoxide (11) and cyclopenta[hi]chrysene-4,5-epoxide (12). Their role as ultimate, active mutagenic forms, when CP-PAHs 1, 3 and 4 exhibit a positive mutagenic response, is confirmed. Semi-empirical Austin Model 1 (AM1) calculations on the formation of the CP-arene oxides (9-12) and their conversion into the monohydroxy-carbocations (9a-12a and 9b-12b) via epoxide-ring opening support our results. For 2 and 4, which also possess a bay-region besides an annelated cyclopenta moiety, the calculations rationalize that epoxidation at the olefinic bond of the cyclopenta moiety is favoured.

Di-epoxides of the three isomeric dicyclopenta-fused pyrenes: ultimate mutagenic active agents

To rationalize the high bacterial mutagenic response recently found for the (di-) cyclopenta-fused pyrene congeners, viz. cyclopenta[cd]-(1), dicyclopenta[cd,mn]-(2), dicyclopenta[cd,fg]-(3) and dicyclopenta[cd,jk]pyrene (4), in the presence of a metabolic activation mixture (S9-mix), their (di-)epoxides at the externally fused unsaturated five-membered rings were previously proposed as the ultimate mutagenic active forms. In this study, cyclopenta[cd]pyrene-3,4-epoxide (5) and the novel dicyclopenta[cd,mn]pyrene-1,2,4,5-di-epoxide (6), dicyclopenta[cd,fg]pyrene-5,6,7,8-di-epoxide (7) and dicyclopenta[cd,jk]pyrene-1,2,6,7-di-epoxide (8) were synthesised from 1 to 4, respectively, and subsequently assayed for bacterial mutagenicity in the standard microsomal/histidine reverse mutation assay (Ames-assay with Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98). The di-epoxides 6-8 are present as a mixture of their cis- and trans-stereo-isomers in a close to 1:1 ratio ((1)H NMR spectroscopy and ab initio IGLO/III//RHF/6-31G** calculations). The direct-acting mutagenic activity and the strong cytotoxicity exerted by 5-8 both in the absence or presence of an exogenous metabolic activation system (+/-S9-mix) demonstrate that the ultimate mutagenic active forms are the proposed (di-)epoxides of 1-4.

Bacterial mutagenicity of the three isomeric dicyclopenta-fused pyrenes: the effects of dicyclopenta topology

Cyclopenta[cd]pyrene (1) and its congeners dicyclopenta[cd,mn]- (2), dicyclopenta[cd,fg]- (3), dicyclopenta[cd,jk]pyrene (4), which were all identified as constituents of combustion exhausts, as well as their partially hydrogenated derivatives 3,4-dihydrocyclopenta[cd]- (5), 1,2,4,5-tetrahydrodicyclopenta[cd,mn]- (6), 5,6,7,8-tetrahydrodicyclopenta[cd,fg]- (7) and 1,2,6,7-tetrahydrodicyclopenta[cd,jk]pyrene (8), were assayed for mutagenicity in the Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 using different concentrations of microsomal protein in the metabolic activation system (S9-mix, with S9-fraction from liver of Aroclor-1254-treated rats: 2, 4 and 10% (v/v), respectively). Whereas a positive mutagenic response is found for 1-4 in the presence of S9-mix, 5-8 exert no mutagenicity either with or without S9-mix. Since for 1-4 the highest response is observed with S9-mix 2% (v/v) instead of the standard 4% (v/v), a one-step activation pathway, i.e. epoxidation of the five-membered ring olefinic bonds, appears to be operational. Surprisingly, 3 and, to a lesser extent, 2 (11.7 versus 4.2 His revertants/nmol) also give a positive response in the absence of S9-mix. Hence, 2 and 3 are expected to contribute to the direct-acting mutagenicity of the non-polar fraction of combustion exhausts. Presumably for the direct-acting mutagenicity one-electron transfer processes play a role in bioactivation. The experimental observations are supported by semi-empirical AM1 calculations on the possible ultimate metabolites, i.e. mono-epoxides (2a-4a), cis-di-epoxides (2b-4b) and trans-di-epoxides (2c-4c) and the related mono-hydroxy carbocations (2d-4d and 2e-4e), and the radical anions 1*(-)-4*(-).

Cyclopenta[cd]fluoranthene and its precursors in combustion exhausts: a survey of their bacterial mutagenic activity

Cyclopenta[cd]fluoranthene (1) and 3-ethynylfluoranthene (2) have both recently been identified in combustion exhausts. In this study, their mutagenic activities were compared to that of fluoranthene (3), one of the most abundant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in combustion exhausts, in the Salmonella/microsome reversion assay (Ames assay) using S. typhimurium strain TA98. The mutagenicity of 1 was modest in comparison to other active cyclopenta PAHs. Unexpectedly, 2 was mutagenic both with and without exogenous metabolic activation (rat liver S9). Furthermore, cyclopenta[cd]fluoranthene-3,4-epoxide (6) was synthesized in order to evaluate its role as the ultimate mutagenic active form of 1. The epoxide 6 was a direct-acting mutagen. In addition, a pyrolysate containing a mixture of 1 (85%), 2 (2%), and 3 (13%) obtained by flash vacuum thermolysis of 3-(1-chloroethenyl)fluoranthene (2a) at 1,050 degrees C was also mutagenic, but a significant mutagenic response was detected only in the presence of S9 activation. The results of this study indicate that 1 and 2 can contribute to the mutagenic activity of combustion exhausts.

Urine mutagenicity and lymphocyte DNA damage in fruit growers occupationally exposed to the fungicide captan

AIMS

To determine haematological parameters, urine mutagenicity (on three Salmonella typhimurium strains), and DNA damage (using the comet assay) in mononuclear leucocytes of farmers before and after a one-day spraying period of pear and apple trees with the fungicide captan in usual conditions.

METHODS

Fruit growers were exposed to captan during the 1998 (n = 12) and/or the 2000 spraying seasons (n = 17). Biological samples were collected on the morning of the day of spraying (S1), the evening after spraying (S2), and the morning of the day after (S3). The UK Predictive Operator Exposure Model (UK-POEM) was used to quantify pesticide exposure intensity.

RESULTS

No effect was observed on haematological parameters for these two spraying seasons. Proportions of mutagenic urine samples did not significantly differ between S1 and S2/S3 sampling points. In contrast with strains TA97a and YG1041 mainly sensitive to frameshift mutations, a positive trend was observed between the difference (S3-S1) of mutagenic power on strain TA102 detecting base-pair mutations and the exposure predicted value given by UK-POEM, mainly due to parameters related to protective clothing. No significant variations in DNA damage levels were observed between S1 and S3, nor were correlations observed with parameters of pesticide exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

A one-day spraying period with captan and other pesticides does not significantly induce DNA damages in mononuclear leucocytes. In contrast, an inefficient protective clothing could correlate with an increase in urine mutagenicity as assessed by the TA102 tester strain.

Mutagenicity of bitumen and asphalt fumes

The mutagenicity of asphalt fumes was tested with the Salmonella bioassays. The aim was to investigate if recycled additives modify the genotoxicity of emissions. Recycling of old asphalt is increasing, and we studied also the mutagenicity of emissions sampled during the re-use of asphalt. The composition of vapours and fumes were analysed by gas chromatography and by liquid chromatography. Bitumens containing coal fly ash (CFA) or waste plastics were heated to the paving temperatures in the laboratory. In the field, bitumen fumes were collected during paving of stone mastic asphalts (lime or CFA as a filler), remixing of stone mastic asphalt (lime or CFA as a filler), and of asphalt concrete. All the lab-generated vapour fractions were non-mutagenic. The particulate fractions were mutagenic with TA98 in the presence of the S9 activation. In addition, the lab-fumes from bitumen containing waste plastics were positive with both strains without S9. Only particulate fractions sampled in the field were tested. They were mutagenic with and without metabolic activation with both strains. The mutagenic potency of the field samples was higher than that of the lab-generated fumes without S9, and the remixing fumes were more mutagenic than the normal paving and lab-generated fumes with S9. The use of inorganic additive, CFA, did not change the mutagenicity of the fumes, whereas the organic additive, waste plastics, increased the mutagenicity of the laboratory emissions significantly.

Mutagenicity of fumes from fried chicken legs

The mutagenicity of fumes formed during the frying of chicken legs at 163 degrees C for 1 to 4 h in soybean oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil was studied. A modified smoke adsorption device was used to collect fumes, and the mutagenicity of the fumes was determined with the Ames test. The results obtained show that the mutagenicity of the fumes from all three oils increased with an increase in frying time. Under the same heating conditions, the oil showing the most extensive mutagenicity was soybean oil, followed by canola oil and sunflower oil. For the smoke adsorption device, the strongest mutagenicity was exhibited by the adsorptive wool, followed by the condensates and glass bead extracts.

Mutagenic and genotoxic evaluation of bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems

The epoxy resin bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE), was examined for its mutagenicity in prokaryotic assays (Salmonella typhimurium His(-) and Escherichia coli Trp(-) tests) and its genotoxicity in eukaryotic systems (sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus tests in human lymphocytes), in the presence or absence of an exogenous metabolizing system (S9 from rat liver). In the prokaryotic tests, the concentrations of BFDGE ranged between 100 and 5000 micro g per plate, and in the eukaryotic assays from 12.5 to 62.5 micro g/ml. The compound is able to induce mutagenic effects in bacterial strains TA100, TA1535, WP2uvrA and IC3327, as revealed by the increase observed in the number of induced revertants. With respect to the genotoxicity assays, BFDGE induces an increase in the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Four-week inhalation toxicity, mutagenicity and immunotoxicity studies of Keum-Yeon-Cho (NosmoQ), tobacco substitute composition, in mice

Safety of Keum-Yeon-Cho (NosmoQ), a tobacco substitute composition, was evaluated in terms of acute- and 4 weeks repeated-inhalation toxicity, mutagenicity, and immunotoxicity using Balb/c mice. The air inside the inhalation chamber was collected and analyzed by GC-MS. In acute inhalation toxicity test, male and female mice were exposed to 40 Keum-Yeon-Cho cigarettes. The 50% lethal concentration (LC(50)) of NosmoQ was considered to be much higher than 40 cigarettes in both sexes. In 4-week repeated inhalation toxicity test, male and female mice were exposed for 6 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks to 10 and 20 cigarettes per day, while control mice were exposed to filtered air. Our data indicated that no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of Keum-Yeon-Cho should be over 20 cigarettes per day. Results of Salmonella typhimurium reversion assay with/without histidine moiety, in vivo chromosomal aberration and in vivo micronucleus assays using mouse bone marrow cells revealed that Keum-Yeon-Cho has no mutagenicity. Evaluation of peripheral cellular immunity of mice treated with Keum-Yeon-Cho using in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay showed no significant difference in mean stimulation index (SI) between mice exposed to Keum-Yeon-Cho and control mice. Mean CO concentrations and total particulate matter contents of 10 and 20 cigarettes were 21.1±1.23 and 40.7±1.21 ppm (mean±S.D., n=5), and 25.7±3.09 and 59.0±4.0 mg dry weight (mean±S.D., n=5), respectively. Although at negligible concentration (less than ppb level) several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were also detected, these results indicate that NosmoQ has no toxic effect on mice.

Selected biostatistical aspects of the validation of in vitro toxicological assays

An overview is presented on selected biostatistical aspects of the validation of in vitro toxicological assays. Primarily, the statistical analysis of single assays is discussed. Several approaches are compared for the possible non-monotonic dose-response relationship with a priori unknown shapes. The use of confidence intervals instead of p values for toxicologically appropriate decision making is explained. New methods are discussed for demonstrating interlaboratory similarity for dose-response designs are discussed. For validation, the inappropriateness of the concordance coefficient is shown, and sensitive and specificity as well as predictive values are proposed as alternatives. The problem of the missing gold standard is highlighted.