No abstract

In developing countries, chemical mixtures within the vicinity of small-scale enterprises, smelters, mines, agricultural areas, toxic waste disposal sites, etc., often present a health hazard to the populations within those vicinities. Therefore, in these countries, there is a need to study the toxicological effects of mixtures of metals, pesticides, and organic compounds. However, the study of mixtures containing substances such as DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, an insecticide banned in developed nations), and mixtures containing contaminants such as fluoride (of concern only in developing countries) merit special attention. Although the studies may have to take into account simultaneous exposures to metals and organic compounds, there is also a need to consider the interaction between chemicals and other specific factors such as nutritional conditions, alcoholism, smoking, infectious diseases, and ethnicity.

In developing countries, chemical mixtures within the vicinity of small-scale enterprises, smelters, mines, agricultural areas, toxic waste disposal sites, etc., often present a health hazard to the populations within those vicinities. Therefore, in these countries, there is a need to study the toxicological effects of mixtures of metals, pesticides, and organic compounds. However, the study of mixtures containing substances such as DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, an insecticide banned in developed nations), and mixtures containing contaminants such as fluoride (of concern only in developing countries) merit special attention. Although the studies may have to take into account simultaneous exposures to metals and organic compounds, there is also a need to consider the interaction between chemicals and other specific factors such as nutritional conditions, alcoholism, smoking, infectious diseases, and ethnicity.

Cantharellus cibarius is one of the most important wild, edible, and ectomycorrhizal mushrooms growing at La Malinche National Park, Tlaxcala, Mexico; therefore, the assessment of its biological properties is of great interest to know its potential as an alternative treatment to chemopreventive strategies when it is consumed as part of a diet. Comet assay was used to evaluate the antigenotoxic properties of several concentrations of aqueous extracts (0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% w/v) prepared at room temperature (22 ± 2°C). As a test system we used human mononuclear cells exposed to methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) in vitro according to 3 different protocols: previous, simultaneous, and posterior. Previous (0.0125%) and simultaneous (0.1%) treatments resulted in the highest inhibitory efficiency. In the former, the cells assessed showed a tail length of 94.9 ± 64 µm; in the latter, the tails measured 106.2 ± 40 µm. Resulting percentages of reduction in damage were 236% and 196.1%, respectively. We did not obtain a dose-dependent response. The mean tail length for each protocol (previous, 133.1 ± 80 µm; simultaneous, 127.8 ± 57 µm; posterior, 146.3 ± 74 µm) was statistically significant with regard to the positive control (MMS).

These sites are an example of the health risks related to lead exposure in Mexico; therefore, there is an urgent need for a national public health program aimed at reducing lead exposure in vulnerable populations.