Genotoxicity biomonitoring in coal regions using wild rodentCtenomys torquatus by Comet assay and micronucleus test

Abstract

Coal is a mixture of a variety of chemicals, especially hydrocarbons, which may give rise to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Many PAH compounds produce mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. The quality of mineral coal in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) is low and it is typically obtained by stripping operations; it represents approximately 87% of the Brazil reserves. This report concerns the application of the Comet assay to Ctenomys torquatus to detect the effects of coal, comparing the results with a micronucleus (MN) assay, both using peripheral blood. This study was performed over a 2‐year period in an attempt to evaluate seasonal patterns. The wild rodent is fossorial, and its geographic distribution in RS coincides with the distribution of coal reserves. Three localitions were studied: two coal fields, Butiá (in a strip coal mine region) and Candiota (near a strip coal mine), and one control region, Pelotas (no coal). At the end of 2 years, 240 rodents had been analyzed. Our results showed that coal and derivatives induced DNA and chromosomal lesions in rodent cells that were demonstrated by Comet and MN assays. These tests also demonstrated quantitative differences between field exposures (Candiota > Butiá). The Comet assay was more sensitive and also showed a direct relationship between age and damage, and an inverse relationship between temperature and damage index. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 35:270–278, 2000 © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of coronaridine from Tabernaemontana catharinensis A.DC in a human laryngeal epithelial carcinoma cell line (Hep-2)

“…Randomly selected cells (300 cells from each of three replicate slides, total = 900 cells) were analyzed per COR concentration. Cells were visually scored regarding damage, divided into five classes, and the DNA damage index was calculated as described by Collins et al (1995) and da Silva et al (2000). Doxorubicin (0.2 μg/mL) was used as positive control and 1% DMSO as solvent control.…”

Age and Gender Effects on Genotoxicity in Diesel Exhaust Particles Exposed C57BL/6 Mice

“…It is acknowledged that age and gender are important biological parameters that now are required to be provided in study designs, analyses, and reporting in experimental animal and human studies [18,19]. However, only a few biological monitoring studies have been reported showing that age and sex can influence DNA damage from exposure to environmental pollutants [20,21]. Heuser et al have shown that adult females are the principal population affected by air pollutants from vehicle emissions [20].…”

“…Heuser et al have shown that adult females are the principal population affected by air pollutants from vehicle emissions [20]. In a study comparing the level of damaged cells in adult, sub-adult, and juvenile rodents to identify possible relationships between age and DNA impairment, increases in the level of damaged cells associated with age were found for wild rodents in coal regions [21]. In a study assessing micronucleus formation in rats after chronic exposure to DEP, no sex-based differences in MN frequency were observed [22].…”

Genotoxic effects of Roundup Full II® on lymphocytes of Chaetophractus villosus (Xenarthra, Mammalia): In vitro studies

“…A number of wild species have been used in the monitoring of environmental contamination [ 2 , 11 – 14 ], but only a few studies have employed mammals [ 15 – 17 ]. Studies on the association between exposure to pollutants and changes in the physiology and population dynamics of different mammals, as well as on how pollutants cause habitat loss and disease, and alter natural cycles, are therefore all needed [ 18 ].…”