Mutagenic and alkylating activities of organophosphate impurities of commercial malathion

Integrative analysis in toxicological assessment of the insecticide Malathion in Allium cepa L. system

For many centuries human populations have been suffering and trying to fight with disease-bearing mosquitoes. Emerging and reemerging diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya affect billions of people around the world and recently has been appealing to control with chemical pesticides. Malathion (MT) is one of the main pesticides used against mosquitoes, the vectors of these diseases. This study aimed to assess cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of the malathion for the bioindicator Allium cepa L. using a multivariate and integrative approach. Moreover, an appendix table was compiled with all available literature of insecticides assessed by the Allium cepa system to support our discussion. Exposures during 48h to 0.5 mg mL-1 and 1.0 mg mL-1 MT were compared to the negative control (distilled water) and positive control (MMS solution at 10 mg L-1). The presence of chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei frequency, and mitotic index abnormalities was evaluated. Anaphase bridges were the alterations with higher incidence and presented a significantly elevated rate in the concentration of 0.5 mg mL-1, including when compared to the positive control. The integrative discriminant analysis summarizes that MT in assessed concentrations presented effects like the positive control, corroborating its potential of toxicity to DNA. Therefore, it is concluded that MT in its pure composition and in realistic concentrations used, has genotoxic potential in the biological assessment of A. cepa cells. The multivariate integrative analysis was fundamental to show a whole response of all data, providing a global view of the effect of MT on DNA.

Application of preparative capillary gas chromatography (pcGC), automated structure generation and mutagenicity prediction to improve effect-directed analysis of genotoxicants in a contaminated groundwater

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE

The importance of groundwater for human life cannot be overemphasised. Besides fulfilling essential ecological functions, it is a major source of drinking water. However, in the industrial area of Bitterfeld, it is contaminated with a multitude of harmful chemicals, including genotoxicants. Therefore, recently developed methodologies including preparative capillary gas chromatography (pcGC), MOLGEN-MS structure generation and mutagenicity prediction were applied within effect-directed analysis (EDA) to reduce sample complexity and to identify candidate mutagens in the samples. A major focus was put on the added value of these tools compared to conventional EDA combining reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) followed by GC/MS analysis and MS library search.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We combined genotoxicity testing with umuC and RP-LC with pcGC fractionation to isolate genotoxic compounds from a contaminated groundwater sample. Spectral library information from the NIST05 database was combined with a computer-based structure generation tool called MOLGEN-MS for structure elucidation of unknowns. Finally, we applied a computer model for mutagenicity prediction (ChemProp) to identify candidate mutagens and genotoxicants.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 62 components were tentatively identified in genotoxic fractions. Ten of these components were predicted to be potentially mutagenic, whilst 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,4-dichloro-6-methylphenol and 4-chlorobenzoic acid were confirmed as genotoxicants.

CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES

The results suggest pcGC as a high-resolution fractionation tool and MOLGEN-MS to improve structure elucidation, whilst mutagenicity prediction failed in our study to predict identified genotoxicants. Genotoxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity caused by chemicals are complex processes, and prediction from chemical structure still appears to be quite difficult. Progress in this field would significantly support EDA and risk assessment of environmental mixtures.

Genotoxic effects of malathion: an organophosphorus insecticide, using three mammalian bioassays in vivo

The genotoxic effects of malathion was evaluated using chromosome aberration, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and sperm abnormality assays in mice. All the three acute doses (2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg) of malathion tested in the present study, induced significant dose-dependent increase in the frequency of chromosome aberrations and sperm abnormalities, but did not affect the total sperm count. The highest acute dose induced a >12-fold increase in the frequency of chromosome aberrations, two-fold increase in the frequency of SCEs and four-fold increase in the frequency of sperms with abnormal head morphology following intraperitoneal (i.p.) exposure. Further, a significant increase in the frequency of SCEs was observed, but the increase was not dose-dependent. At higher doses, malathion induced a moderate delay in cell cycle as evident from the increase in average generation time (AGT). The present findings suggest that technical grade malathion is a potent genotoxic agent and may be regarded as a potential germ cell mutagen also.

Epoxide formation from diallyl sulfone is associated with CYP2E1 inactivation in murine and human lungs

We tested the hypothesis that an epoxide formed from diallyl sulfone (DASO(2)) is responsible for inactivation of CYP2E1 in murine and human lungs. An epoxide (1,2-epoxypropyl-3,3'-sulfonyl-1'-propene [DASO(3)]) was synthesized from DASO(2) and conjugated with glutathione (GSH) to produce the conjugates S-(1R, S-[[1-hydroxymethyl-2,3' -sulfonyl]-1' -propenyl]ethyl)glutathione (diastereomers) and S-(1-[[2R,S-hydroxypropyl]-3, 3'-sulfonyl]-1'-propenyl)glutathione (diastereomers). Analysis of these conjugates by high performance liquid chromatography revealed a major peak eluting at 20.5 min. This peak was detected in incubations of murine and human lung microsomes containing DASO(2) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and was not detected in incubations performed in the absence of DASO(2) or NADPH. The amounts of epoxide-derived GSH conjugates formed in the incubations were concentration-dependent and achieved saturation at 0.75 mM DASO(2). Formation of the conjugates was also time-dependent and peaked at 2.0 h after DASO(2). The peak containing the GSH conjugates was also detected in incubations of CYP2E1-expressed lymphoblastoid microsomes, NADPH, and DASO(2). Maximal amounts of DASO(3), as estimated by formation of a 4-(p-nitrobenzyl)pyridine derivatized product, were detected in murine lung microsomes incubated for 35 min with 1 mM DASO(2). The derivatized DASO(3) was not detectable in incubations of human lung microsomes. p-Nitrophenol hydroxylation, a catalytic activity associated with CYP2E1, was reduced in murine and human lung microsomes incubated with DASO(2), with decreases that were concentration-dependent. Dose-dependent decreases in hydroxylase activity were also found in microsomes from mice treated in vivo with DASO(2) (25 to 200 mg/kg). These results supported the premise that an epoxide formed from DASO(2) mediates inactivation of lung CYP2E1. Furthermore, the findings suggested that the mouse model is relevant for studies of DASO(2) in human lung.

In vitro studies on the genotoxicity of the organophosphorus insecticide malathion and its two analogues

Malathion [S-(1,2-dicarboethoxyethyl)O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate] is a commonly used organophosphorus insecticide reported to be genotoxic both in vivo and in vitro, but the reports are conflicting. In order to elucidate the genotoxic potency of the main compounds present in commercial preparations of malathion, the DNA-damaging effect of this insecticide, its major metabolite malaoxon [S-(1,2-dicarboethoxyethyl)O,O-dimethyl phosphorothiolate] and its isomer isomalathion [S-(1,2-dicarboethoxyethyl)O,S-dimethyl phosphorodithioate], all at purity of at least 99.8%, was investigated by use of the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Freshly isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes were incubated with 25, 75 and 200 microM of the chemicals for 1 h at 37 degrees C. The concentrations used are comparable to those found in blood following various non-lethal human exposures to pesticides. Malathion did not cause any significant changes in the comet length of the lymphocytes, throughout the range of concentrations tested. Malaoxon and isomalathion introduced damage to DNA in a dose-dependent manner. The effect induced by malaoxon was more pronounced than that caused by isomalathion. Treated cells were able to recover within a 60-min incubation in insecticide-free medium at 37 degrees C except the lymphocytes exposed to malaoxon at 200 microM, which did not show measurable DNA repair. The latter result suggests a considerable cytotoxic effect (cell death) of malaoxon at the highest concentration used. The reported genotoxicity of malathion might, therefore, be a consequence of its metabolic biotransformation to malaoxon or the presence of malaoxon and/or isomalathion as well as other unspecified impurities in commercial formulations of malathion. In this regard, the results of our study clearly indicate that malathion used as commercial product, i.e., containing malaoxon and isomalathion, can be considered as a genotoxic substance in vitro. This means that it may also produce DNA disturbances in vivo, such as DNA breakage at sites of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, thus playing a role in the induction of malignancies in individuals exposed to this agent. Therefore, malathion can be regarded as a potential mutagen/carcinogen and requires further investigation.

Molecular bases of hprt mutations in malathion-treated human T-lymphocytes

Recently, we reported that 6 of 84 (7.1%) hprt mutants arising in in vitro malathion-treated human T-lymphocytes were characterized by specific genomic deletions in a 125-bp region of exon 3 (Pluth et al., Cancer Research 56 (1996) 2393-2399. We have now extended study to determine whether additional differences in molecular spectrum at a basepair level exist between control and malathion-treated mutations, and investigated whether there is evidence to support the hypothesis that malathion is an alkylating agent. We analyzed 101 hprt mutants (24 from control and 77 from treated cultures) isolated form six in vitro malathion exposures of T-lymphocytes from four healthy male donors. Analysis consisted of: Southern blotting, genomic multiplex PCR, genomic DNA sequencing and reverse transcription of PCR amplification (RT/PCR) and sequencing of the cDNA product. Mutations at several basepair sites were frequent after malathion exposure and were isolated from treated cells from at least two different individuals. Using a human hprt mutation database for comparison, the frequency of mutations at one of these sites (basepair 134) was found to be significantly elevated in the malathion-treated cell (p < 0.0005). Hprt mutations in malathion-treated cells arose preferentially at G:C basepairs, which is consistent with earlier reports that malathion alkylates guanine nucleotides. Assessing molecular changes at both genomic and cDNA levels in the same mutants revealed that many small, partial exon deletions (< 20 bp) in genomic DNA were often represented in the cDNA at the loss of one or more exons. In addition, It was noted that identical genomic mutations can result in different cDNA products in different T-cell isolates. These observations affirm the importance of genomic sequence analysis in combination with RT/PCR for a more accurate definition of the mutation spectrum.

S-methylation of O,O-dialkyl phosphorodithioic acids: O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorodithioate and phosphorothiolate as metabolites of dimethoate in mice

O,O,S-Trimethyl phosphorodithioate and phosphorothiolate [(MeO)2P(S)SMe and (MeO)2P-(O)SMe, respectively are known from earlier studies to be impurities, delayed toxicants, and detoxication inhibitors in several major O,O-dimethyl phosphorodithioate insecticides. Our recent studies show extensive S-methylation of mono- and dithiocarbamic acids in mice, suggesting the possibility that phosphorodithioic acids such as (MeO)2P(S)SH might also undergo S-methylation. This possibility was examined in ip-treated mice with emphasis on the metabolites of dimethoate [(MeO)2P(S)SCH2C(O)NHMe], one of the most important organophosphorus insecticides. The urinary metabolites of dimethoate, which contains no P-SMe substituent, were found to include four compounds with P-SMe moieties identified by 31P NMR spectroscopy as MeO(HS)P(O)SMe, MeO(HO)P(O)SMe, (MeO)2P(S)SMe, and (MeO)2P-(O)SMe; the latter two compounds are also established by GC-MS as dimethoate metabolites in mouse urine, liver, kidney, and lung. Several approaches verified unequivocally that the previously unknown P-SMe metabolites in urine and tissues are due to in vivo S-methylation rather than to impurities. Studies with other O,O-dimethyl and O,O-diethyl phosphorodithioate insecticides established the analogous S-methylation pathway for ethion, malathion, phenthoate, phosalone, and phosmet in mice. Thus, metabolism of O,O-dialkyl phosphorodithioate insecticides in mammals is shown here for the first time to yield S-methyl phosphorodithioates and phosphorothiolates from in vivo S-methylation of the intermediate O,O-dialkyl phosphorodithioic acids.

Genetic toxicity of malathion: a review

Mammalian in vivo and in vitro studies of technical or commercial grade malathion and its metabolite malaoxon show a pattern of induction of chromosome damage, as measured by chromosome aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges, and micronuclei. Experiments with purified (> 99%) malathion gave weak or negative results. In contrast to the cytogenetic effects of technical grade malathion, responses in gene mutation assays were generally negative except for malaoxon, which was positive for mammalian gene mutations in both tested instances. This result also could be a consequence of chromosome level changes, however. Dermal exposure, a common human route, caused cytogenetic damage in test animals at doses near those producing positive results by intraperitoneal injection. Workers who apply technical grade malathion and other pesticides have higher levels of chromosomal damage than unexposed individuals. Because of the inactivity of malathion mixtures in gene mutation assays, malathion has been thought to be of little genotoxic concern. However, the pattern of chromosome damage in animals and mammalian cells in culture (including human) indicates that technical grade malathion and its components have not been adequately studied for genotoxic potential in humans.

Alkylating activity in food products--especially sauerkraut and sour fermented dairy products--after incubation with nitrite under quasi-gastric conditions

N-Nitroso compounds may well rank high among the genotoxic carcinogens present in our environment. Small amounts of such compounds may be formed in the human stomach after consumption of high-nitrate vegetables. Volatile nitrosamines can be conveniently determined but reliable methods of analysis for non-volatile N-nitroso compounds are still lacking. In this study we have used the 4-(4-nitrobenzyl)pyridine test to look for the formation of alkylating compounds such as N-nitroso-N-methylurea in a wide range of food products after incubation with nitrite under simulated gastric conditions. Our results indicate that many food products do not form alkylating compounds in appreciable amounts, even though the nitrite concentration used was five to ten times that found in saliva after a high-nitrate meal. Comparatively strong alkylating activity, however, was detected after incubation of samples of sauerkraut, certain dairy products (yoghurt, biogarde, quark, buttermilk and milk), wine and smoked mackerel. Samples of sauerkraut incubated with simulated gastric fluid, but without (added) nitrite, also displayed appreciable alkylating activity. The formation of alkylating substances in non-fat yoghurt was markedly inhibited by addition of ascorbic acid. The identity of the alkylating agents remains unknown. The isolation procedure was optimized for N-nitroso-N-methylurea, but will certainly result in the isolation of other compounds, such as C-nitroso-, C-nitro- or perhaps even C-nitroso-C'-nitro-compounds as well. Biogenic amines, glucosinolates, indole derivatives or other compounds may be involved as precursors. If alkylating agents are formed in vivo after ingestion of high-nitrate vegetables or drinking water, this is likely to occur only when the food products mentioned above are ingested simultaneously with or shortly after the nitrate load and not appreciably (except perhaps in the case of sauerkraut) when they are ingested alone, without a nitrate source. The health implications of these findings cannot yet be established. Many alkylating agents, however, have strong carcinogenic properties and continued investigation of food products (and their interaction products with nitrite) is indicated.

Cytogenetic effects of malathion insecticide on somatic and germ cells of mice

Male mice dermally exposed to single or multiple treatment (5 days/2 weeks) showed that the ability of malathion to induce chromosome aberrations in somatic (bone marrow) and germ cells (primary spermatocytes) was related to the type of treatment and dose used. Statistically significant increases of chromosome aberrations in bone marrow cells occurred after single treatment (500 and 2000 mg/kg body wt) when chromatid gaps were included and after multiple treatment (250 and 500 mg/kg) when they were excluded. No dose-response relationships were observed for either treatment. In germ cells, malathion induced a significant increase of univalents in both types of treatment but structural chromosome aberrations were induced only by multiple treatment. Malathion induced a significant decrease of the mitotic indices in the bone marrow.

Significance of the genotoxic activities observed in vitro for 35 of 70 NTP noncarcinogens

A speculative analysis is presented of the in vitro genotoxicity data reported by Shelby and Stasiewicz for 70 chemicals defined as noncarcinogenic to rodents by the National Toxicology Program. It is concluded that the genotoxic activities observed are probably subject to logical explanation. It is suggested that short-term genotoxicity assays conducted in vivo on newly defined in vitro genotoxins may have a useful role to play in discriminating animal carcinogens from noncarcinogens. It is clear from the results reported that genotoxic activities observed in vitro for a new test chemical only provide evidence of its possible animal carcinogenicity; they are not definitive of carcinogenicity--the difference may be negligible in general but might prove unacceptable in the particular.