Cytogenetic damage and induction of pro-oxidant state in human lymphocytes exposed in vitro to gliphosate, vinclozolin, atrazine, and DPX-E9636

Environ Mol Mutagen. 1998;32(1):39-46.

Abstract

We analyzed chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), mitotic index (MI), and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme activity in human peripheral lymphocytes from three healthy donors exposed in vitro to different concentrations of gliphosate, vinclozolin, atrazine, and DPX-E9636. The pesticides gliphosate, vinclozolin, and atrazine have been studied in a broad range of genetic tests with predominantly conflicting or negative results, whereas little is known about the genotoxicity of DPX-E9636. In our experimental conditions, each chemical compound tested produced a dose-related increase in the percent of aberrant cells and an increase of SCE/cell. Furthermore, at the highest concentrations of vinclozolin, atrazine, and DPX-E9636, we observed a significant reduction of the mitotic index. The increase of G6PD activity in exposed lymphocyte cultures strongly indicated an induction of a pro-oxidant state of the cells as an initial response to pesticide exposure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Atrazine / toxicity*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromosome Aberrations*
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Lymphocytes / enzymology
  • Mutagens / toxicity
  • Oxazoles / toxicity*
  • Oxidants
  • Oxidative Stress*
  • Pesticides / toxicity*
  • Sister Chromatid Exchange
  • Urea / analogs & derivatives*
  • Urea / toxicity

Substances

  • Mutagens
  • Oxazoles
  • Oxidants
  • Pesticides
  • DPX E9636
  • Urea
  • Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase
  • vinclozolin
  • Atrazine