Genotoxicity biomarkers in the amphipod Gammarus elvirae exposed in vivo to mercury and lead,and basal levels of DNA damage in two cell types

The present work deals with the application of genotoxicity biomarkers by means of the Comet assay in haemocytes and spermatozoa of the crustacean Gammarus elvirae exposed in vivo to heavy metals. Furthermore, a basal levels (BLs) study of DNA damage in the two cell types considered for two different gammarids species, G. elvirae and Echinogammarus veneris, was carried out. It is important to identify factors that influence the outcome of the assay in order to obtain reliable and reproducible results usable for risk assessment purposes. Our results highlight that the Italian legal limits for Hg and Pb, respectively, 0.5 and 50?µg/L, are inadequate for establishing safety thresholds in the aquatic environment. Furthermore, the freshwater invertebrate G. elvirae, used for the first time to measure the effect of genotoxicants, is a good candidate for evaluating the genotoxicity damage induced by heavy metals. Our results concerning spermatozoa show excessively variable responses and high BLs.     

通用浓度加和模型预测有机磷与三嗪农药对绿藻的联合毒性

基于微板藻毒性试验测定5个有机磷农药与4个三嗪类农药的单个及联合毒性.根据半数效应浓度(EC50),对斜生栅藻96h生长抑制的毒性大小顺序为:西草净>阿特拉津>扑灭通>苯嗪草酮>草甘膦>敌敌畏>磷胺>乙酰甲胺磷>甲胺磷.这表明直接干扰光合作用电子传输的三嗪除草剂的藻毒性明显大于有机磷农药.以通用浓度加和作为参考模型,三嗪类农药按EC50和EC10(10%效应浓度)浓度比的混合物对斜生栅藻呈现加和毒性.有机磷农药按EC50和EC10浓度比的混合物在低浓度呈现加和毒性,在高浓度呈现协同毒性.有机磷与三嗪类农药按EC50和EC10浓度比的混合物在低浓度为加和毒性,在高浓度为协同毒性.     

受体报告基因实验及其在维甲酸和维甲酸X受体干扰物监测中的应用

受体报告基因实验具有快速、经济、灵敏、方便等诸多优势,在高通量筛选类或抗雌雄激素等通过核受体起作用的环境内分泌干扰物方面得到了广泛的应用。环境中的维甲酸和维甲酸X受体干扰物如有机锡等有着类似的作用机制,研究者也开始采用受体报告基因实验的方法对该类污染物进行筛选与监测。本文综述了受体报告基因实验的技术方法,包括报告基因和宿主细胞的选择,并介绍了该方法在人工合成的维甲酸和维甲酸X受体干扰物筛选以及环境样品中该类污染监测中的应用。综述总结了应用受体报告基因实验检测环境内分泌干扰物研究中的不足并对该方法的未来发展进行了展望,希望为该方法在环境监测和评估中的应用提供新的思路。     

壬基酚、五氯酚及硝基苯对端足类河蜾蠃蜚(Corophium acherusicum)的毒性效应

为检测海洋中环境激素及芳烃类化合物对端足类生物的污染危害,实验选择端足类河蜾蠃蜚(Corophium acherusicum)为受试生物,研究了其在壬基酚、五氯酚、硝基苯三种有机污染物暴露下的96 h急性致死毒性效应和7 d慢性DNA损伤毒性效应。计算获得壬基酚、五氯酚和硝基苯对河蜾蠃蜚的96 h半致死浓度(LC50)分别为70、465、25 000μg·L-1,三种有机污染物对河蜾蠃蜚的毒性强弱顺序为壬基酚五氯酚硝基苯。运用碱解旋法检测壬基酚、五氯酚和硝基苯对河蜾蠃蜚DNA损伤的程度,计算得到7 d半效应浓度(EC50)分别为30、256、11 000μg·L-1。实验结果表明:三种有机污染物浓度的不断加大,引起河蜾蠃蜚DNA损伤程度的不断增加,呈显著的剂量-效应关系。     

Genotoxic effects of metals on human salivary gland tissue and lymphocytes as detected by the Comet assay

The etiology of salivary gland malignancies still remains unclear. Metal compounds are of special interest since they show ubiquitous presence in the environment, are present in many working places, and are accepted (co-)carcinogens in some other malignancies. Metals enter the body as xenobiotics by inhalation or ingestion. This study investigated the genotoxic potential of sodium dichromate (Na₂Cr₂O₇), nickel sulfate (NiSO₄), cadmium sulfate (CdSO₄) and zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) on human salivary gland cells and lymphocytes. Macroscopically healthy tissue of salivary glands was harvested from 46 patients during surgery and isolated to single cells by enzymatic digestion. The cells were incubated with Na₂Cr₂O₇, NiSO₄, CdSO₄ or ZnCl₂. Na₂Cr₂O₇ was also incubated in combination with the other metal compounds listed. Carcinogenic and co-carcinogenic effects of cadmium were tested by incubation with Na₂Cr₂O₇ and consecutive repair intervals. DNA damage and repair were evaluated by the Comet assay, determining DNA-strand breaks. The extent of damage was quantified using a digital analysis system. Na₂Cr₂O₇ produced significantly enhanced DNA-strand breaks in human salivary gland tissue and lymphocytes. All other metal compounds exerted no damaging effect on both cell types. Co-incubation of Na₂Cr₂O₇ with the other metals revealed a significant additive effect only for CdSO₄. Specific analysis of the influence of cadmium showed a reduction of DNA-repair after Na₂Cr₂O₇-induced strand breaks in salivary gland cells. This study provides evidence that exposure to distinct metals may significantly contribute to malignant salivary gland tumors. In consequence, further studies as epidemiological and toxicological data are warranted to determine the role of distinct metals as potential (co-) carcinogens.     

Mutagenicity of polyaromatic hydrocarbons by chemical models for cytochrome P450 in Ames assay

DNA damage is an important step in carcinogenesis. The Ames assay is a short-term screening of carcinogens that induce DNA damage. Most carcinogens require enzymatic activation through oxidation by cytochrome P450 (CYP450) in the presence of S9 mix. A combination of iron (Fe)(III) porphyrin and an oxidant is also able to oxidize compounds as an alternative metabolic pathway to CYP450. Previously it was reported that a chemical model containing a water-soluble 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium4-yl)porphyrinatoiron(III) chloride (4-MPy) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) activated aromatic amines and amides. In this study, a chemical model composed of an Fe porphyrin, water-insoluble 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrinatoiron(III) chloride (F₅P) or water-soluble 4-MPy was optimized with an oxidant – t-BuOOH, magnesium monoperoxyphthalate (MPPT), or iodosylbenzene (PhIO). Subsequently the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and chrysene in Salmonella typhimurium TA strains was compared. B[a]P was activated by a combination of F₅P or 4-MPy plus MPPT or PhIO in S. typhimurium TA1538. The B[a]P-induced mutagenicity with F₅P plus oxidant was higher than 4-MPy plus oxidant. Mutagenicity of chrysene, a tetracyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, was not detected in the presence of F₅P/PhIO in S. typhimurium TA98, but was activated in the presence of F₅P/MPPT. The F₅P/MPPT activated other polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the S. typhimurium TA98 assay including dibenz[a,c]anthracene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, 3-methylcholanthrene, and benzo[a]anthracene. The results indicated that the F₅P/MPPT was the most efficient model for detecting PAH-induced mutagenicity in the Ames assay.     

Protective effect of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyta) extract against DNA damage induced by mercury chloride in marine fish

Marine organisms are continuously exposed to agents, both exogenous and endogenous, that damage DNA. Consequently, it is important to determine the ability of compounds to provide protection against damaging chemicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-genotoxic activity of crude aqueous extracts of Kappaphycus alvarezii (Rhodophyceae), collected from the Southeast coast of India. This study focused on possible anti-genotoxic potential of aqueous extract of K. alverazii to interfere with clastogenicity induced by mercury chloride (HgCl₂) in marine fish, Therapon jarbua as measured by cytogenetic endpoints such as cell viability and comet assay. In the first set of experiments, fish were exposed to a single treatment of Hg at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, 1, or 2?ppm along with controls. Mercury exposure produced significant DNA damage in all comet classes, maximum as >79% (Class 4) at 0.5, 1, and 2?ppm exposure in a time dependent manner. Algal extract did not induce genotoxicity when given alone and prevented Hg-induced genotoxicity. The algal extract reduction in genotoxicity was significant but not time- and concentration-dependent. Results suggested that under present experimental conditions, K. alvarezii extract exhibit potent anti-genotoxicity effects in this fish model; and thus these extracts may be recommended as a supplement in fish meal and may benefit humans ingesting Hg-contaminated fish.     

Genotoxic effects of two different classes of insecticide in developing chick embryos

Pesticides provide considerable protection against pest population; however, rampant accumulation of these chemicals into varied habitats across the globe necessitates the need for a careful screening of each chemical due to toxic manifestations. In the current study, the genotoxic potential of two different classes of commercial insecticides – chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin combination and Spinosad, a naturalyte were compared. Rhode Island Red chick embryos were exposed to different doses of either of these insecticides individually, by in ovo treatment. Genotoxicity was then evaluated through micronucleus (MN) test and Comet assay. The combination insecticide exposure at low doses of 0.05 and 0.1 μg/egg induced DNA damage as evidenced by an increased tail moment in the Comet assay. Further, the presence of micronucleated erythrocytes and also various abnormal cells including dacryocytes, microcytes, erythroplastids, squashed/notched nuclei, and spindle-shaped erythrocytes in the blood smear consolidates indicate the presence of insecticide-induced genotoxicity. Spinosad, however, was found only mildly genotoxic but at a high dose of 1.5 mg/egg. The results indicate that usage of naturalyte insecticide may be a better option to minimize the harmful effects of chemical insecticides.     

彗星实验检测渤海主要入海河流遗传毒性

利用彗星实验检测渤海区主要入海河流遗传毒性.以虾虎鱼为受试生物,暂养在河口水样中,染毒48h,取外周血细胞,运用彗星实验检测外周血细胞内DNA损伤程度,以尾相(TM)作为DNA损伤程度指标,并据此评估入海河流邻近海域遗传毒性风险.实验结果表明,入海河流中的特征污染物可导致虾虎鱼外周血细胞的DNA损伤,且损伤程度可以通过彗星实验定量分析,同时该试验方法操作简便、快速、灵敏度高,能够反映出多种污染因子的综合致毒能力.因此,通过彗星实验建立实验室检测入海河流遗传毒性方法具有可行行和创新性.     

环境监测中的新工具--酶免疫检测技术

酶免疫检测技术，是根据抗原抗体反应具有高度的特异性，将酶标记物的抗体作为标准试剂来鉴定未知的抗原。ＥＩＡ技术是环境污染物筛选试验的良好工具，其与气相色谱。高效液相色谱结合，能极大地提高环境监测能力。将酶联免疫吸附检测试剂盒在环境监测中的应用结果，与ＧＣ，ＨＰＬＣ等传统分析方法相比，具有良好的相关性。