A combined testing protocol approach for mutagenicity testing.

The antischistosomal agent, hycanthone methanesulfonate (HMS), was employed to illustrate the utility of carrying out several mutagenicity tests in a single concurrent animal experiment. Several commonly used procedures that were successfully integrated into a multiple testing protocol included (1) metaphase analysis in bone marrow, (2) micronucleus test in bone marrow, (3) analysis of the urine for mutagenic constituents, and (4) the host-mediated assay using Salmonella typhimurium. In addition to these animal studies, in vitro mutagenicity testing with and without activation was carried out using S. typhimurium. HMS produced positive, dose--response effects in in vitro tests, metaphase analysis, micronucleus test, and urine analysis, but not in the host-mediated assay. The results of these integrated techniques suggest that such a protocol may be a benefit to those concerned with mutagenicity testing of chemicals.     

Mutagenicity testing with transgenic mice. Part I: Comparison with the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test

As part of a larger literature study on transgenic animals in mutagenicity testing, test results from the transgenic mutagenicity assays (lacI model; commercially available as the Big Blue(R) mouse, and the lacZ model; commercially available as the Mutatrade markMouse), were compared with the results on the same substances in the more traditional mouse bone marrow micronucleus test. 39 substances were found which had been tested in the micronucleus assay and in the above transgenic mouse systems. Although, the transgenic animal mutation assay is not directly comparable with the micronucleus test, because different genetic endpoints are examined: chromosome aberration versus gene mutation, the results for the majority of substances were in agreement. Both test systems, the transgenic mouse assay and the mouse bone marrow micronucleus test, have advantages and they complement each other. However, the transgenic animal assay has some distinct advantages over the micronucleus test: it is not restricted to one target organ and detects systemic as well as local mutagenic effects.     

The mutagenicity of hydrazine and some of its derivatives.

The mutagenic effect of ethylenethiourea (ETU), a degradation product and metabolite of ethylenebisdithiocarbamates, which are widely used as fungicides, was studied in different test systems.ETU induced mutations of the base-pair substitution type in Salmonella typhimurium TA 1530 in vitro as well as in the host-mediated assay. In the host-mediated assay, a dose of 6000 mg/kg (LD₅₀ = 5400 mg/kg) resulted in a slight but significant increase of the reversion frequency by a factor of 2.37.The results of the micronucleus test were negative after two-fold oral applications of 700, 1850 and 6000 mg/kg to Swiss albino mice. Thus it is concluded that ETU hardly induces any chromosomal anomality in the bone marrow.No dominant-lethal effect was observed after single oral doses of 500, 1000 and 3500 mg/kg given to male mice.     

The possible role of probiotics as dietary antimutagens

Possible antimutagenic actions of probiotics - mainly lactic acid bacteria - were examined using in vitro and in vivo test systems.In the Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium TA1538 beef extract and nitrosated beef extract were used as mutagens. L. casei showed high antimutagenic activity on mutagenicity induced by nitrosated beef extract only without S9 mix, whereas Omniflora (a lyophilized preparation of lactobacilli and E. coli and its cellfree culture broth exhibited antimutagenic action only on beef extract.The actions of probiotics were more homogeneous when living animais were used in the tests. Using busulfan as a mutagen both the chromosome aberration test (with Chinese hamster bone marrow cells) and the micronucleus test (with bone marrow cells of Chinese hamsters and mice) showed strong anticlastogenic action when L. casei, Omniflora or yoghurt (with living bifiobacteria) were given orally at the same time as the mutagen. Lactobacilli were effective also after i.p. injection. Cell-free culture broths had no or only weak antimutagenic effects. Mutagen-induced chromosome aberrations and micronuclei were reduced by up to 80% by the lactobacilli.     

Concomitant observations of UDS in the liver and micronuclei in the bone marrow of rats exposed to cyclophosphamide or 2-acetylaminofluorene

Oral dosing of between 5–30 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide (CP) to Alderley Park rats induced micronuclei in the bone marrow between 12 and 36 h after dosing, but failed to induce unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in the liver at similar dose levels and treatment periods. Dose levels of > 30 mg/kg were toxic to the liver. In contrast, 2-acetylaminofluorene (2AAF) induced UDS in the rat liver between 4–36 h after dosing, but gave only a weak response in the bone marrow assay at dose levels between 0.5 and 2 g/kg. Selected observations were made for each chemical using both tissues of the same test animal.

It is concluded that an assessment of the genotoxicity in vivo of chemicals defined as genotoxic in vitro will contribute to an assessment of their possible mammalian carcinogenicity, and that these should involve assays conducted using both the bone marrow and the liver of rodents. Due to its relative ease of commission, the bone marrow micronucleus assay will usually be conducted first; in the case of negative results it is recommended that a liver genotoxicity assay should also be conducted. The case for employing in vivo short-term genotoxicity tests to predict the possible organotropic carcinogenicity or germ cell mutagenicity of a new in vitro genotoxin is discussed.     

The mouse bone marrow micronucleus test: evaluation of 21 drug candidates

The mouse bone-marrow micronucleus test is one of the most widely used genetic toxicology assays. In this report the results of testing 21 compounds in the micronucleus test are presented. Of the 21 compounds tested, 3 potential chemotherapeutic agents were identified as strongly clastogenic. In addition, one compound was identified as a weak inducer of micronuclei in the assay. Further testing of this compound in an in vivo bone marrow metaphase analysis failed to confirm this material as clastogenic. The remaining 17 compounds were classified as negative in the assay. In general the results of the micronucleus test agreed with the results of other genetic toxicology assays on this group of compounds.     

The effect of gamma-radiation on smoked fish using short-term mutagenicity assays

The effect of gamma-radiation on the mutagenicity potential of wood-smoked fish (Rastrelliger sp.) was investigated. Smoked fish were irradiated with radiation doses of 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 kGy. The DMSO extracts of non-radiated and irradiated smoked fish were tested for mutagenicity using the Ames plate incorporation assay, host-mediated assay, and the micronucleus test. It was observed that gamma-irradiation did not induce any significant increase in the number of revertants of TA98, TA100 and TA104 as compared with the non-radiated smoked fish. Results of the host-mediated assay and the micronucleus test showed no difference in the mutagenic response of non-radiated and irradiated smoked fish. The results indicate that gamma-radiation does not introduce mutagens in smoked fish.     

Mutagenic evaluation of ronidazole

Ronidazole was evaluated for mutagenic potential using in vitro microbial tests and in vivo studies in mice. The microbial test used the histidine requiring mutants of Salmonella typhimurium with and without a rat liver microsomal activation system (Ames test). The studies in mice included the dominant lethal test, micronucleus test and cytogenetic assays.Ronidazole was given orally in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day in the in vivo studies. In the dominant lethal test, groups of male mice were treated for five consecutive days before being mated with untreated females. In the micronucleus test, the mice were administered the compound for 2 or 5 consecutive days; they were killed 6 h after the last dose and bone marrow was examined for the presence of micronuclei in developing erythrocytes. In the cytogenetic assays, bone marrow cells in metaphase were examined for chromosome aberrations, 6, 24 and 48 h after mice were treated acutely with the test compound. In addition, similar examinations of chromosomes were made on mice given five consecutive dosages of ronidazole and killed 6 h after the last dose. The results of the various in vivo studies did not suggest that ronidazole would be mutagenic for the mammal.Ronidazole at concentrations of 10 and 50 μg/plate was found to increase the number of back mutations of missense mutants in the in vitro bacterial test. This finding confirms the results of Voogd et al. [19]. Incorporation of the microsomal activation system had no effect on the mutagenic capability of the test compound.In conclusion, although ronidazole was shown to be mutagenic in in vitro bacterial systems, the in vivo systems did not suggest that the compound would be mutagenic for the mammal.     

Practical aspects of mutagenicity testing strategy: an industrial perspective

Genetic toxicology studies play a central role in the development and marketing of new chemicals for pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial, and consumer use. During the discovery phase of product development, rapid screening tests that require minimal amounts of test materials are used to assist in the design and prioritization of new molecules. At this stage, a modified Salmonella reverse mutation assay and an in vitro micronucleus test with mammalian cell culture are frequently used for screening. Regulatory genetic toxicology studies are conducted with a short list of compounds using protocols that conform to various international guidelines. A set of four assays usually constitutes the minimum test battery that satisfies global requirements. This set includes a bacterial reverse mutation assay, an in vitro cytogenetic test with mammalian cell culture, an in vitro gene mutation assay in mammalian cell cultures, and an in vivo rodent bone marrow micronucleus test. Supplementary studies are conducted in certain instances either as a follow-up to the findings from this initial testing battery and/or to satisfy a regulatory requirement. Currently available genetic toxicology assays have helped the scientific and industrial community over the past several decades in evaluating the mutagenic potential of chemical agents. The emerging field of toxicogenomics has the potential to redefine our ability to study the response of cells to genetic damage and hence our ability to study threshold phenomenon.     

Considerations in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's testing approach for mutagenicity.

OPP: This paper provides the rationale and support for the decisions the OPP will make in requiring and reviewing mutagenicity information. The regulatory requirement for mutagenicity testing to support a pesticide registration is found in the 40 CFR Part 158. The guidance as to the specific mutagenicity testing to be performed is found in the OPP's Pesticide Assessment Guidelines, Subdivision F, Hazard Evaluation: Human and Domestic Animals (referred to as the Subdivision F guideline). A revised Subdivision F guideline has been presented that becomes the current guidance for submitters of mutagenicity data to the OPP. The decision to revise the guideline was the result of close examination of the version published in 1982 and the desire to update the guidance based on developments since then and current state-of-the-science. After undergoing Agency and public scrutiny, the revised guideline is to be published in 1991. The revised guideline consists of an initial battery of tests (the Salmonella assay, an in vitro mammalian gene mutation assay and an in vivo cytogenetics assay which may be either a bone marrow assay for chromosomal aberrations or for micronuclei formation) that should provide an adequate initial assessment of the potential mutagenicity of a chemical. Follow-up testing to clarify results from the initial testing may be necessary. After this information as well as all other relevant information is obtained, a weight-of-evidence decision will be made about the possible mutagenicity concern a chemical may present. Testing to pursue qualitative and/or quantitative evidence for assessing heritable risk in relation to human beings will then be considered if a mutagenicity concern exists. This testing may range from tests for evidence of gonadal exposure to dominant lethal testing to quantitative tests such as the specific locus and heritable translocation assays. The mutagenicity assessment will be performed in accordance with the Agency's Mutagenicity Risk Assessment Guidelines. The mutagenicity data would also be used in the weight-of-evidence consideration for the potential carcinogenicity of a chemical in accordance with the Agency's Carcinogen Risk Assessment Guidelines. In instances where there are triggers for carcinogenicity testing, mutagenicity data may be used as one of the triggers after a consideration of available information. It is felt that the revised Subdivision F guideline will provide appropriate, and more specific, guidance concerning the OPP approach to mutagenicity testing for the registration of a pesticide. It also provides a clearer understanding of how the OPP will proceed with its evaluation and decision making concerning the potential heritable effects of a test chemical.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

The lack of mutagenic properties of patulin and patulin adducts formed with cysteine in Salmonella test systems

The mutagenic properties of patulin and the patulin adducts formed with cysteine were tested with histidine auxotroph Salmonella typhimurium strains as indicator organisms. The tests were performed by microsomal activation and host-mediated assay. Neither patulin nor patulin—cysteine reaction mixture was mutagenic in these test systems.     

The mutagenicity and DNA-damaging activity of cyclic aliphatic sulfuric acid esters.

The cyclic aliphatic sulfuric acid esters 1,2-ethylene sulfate (ESF), 1,3-propylene sulfate (PSF) and 1,3-butylene sulfate (BSF) have been tested for their mutagenic and DNA-damaging activity. Mutagenicity of the compounds was established with his-auxotrophic indicator strains of Salmonella typhimurium using the in vitro plate test and the host-mediated assay technique with mice as host animals. The DNA-damaging activity was tested in a repair test with Proteus mirabilis mutants defective in DNA repair.In the repair test with a set of P. mirabilis strains (PG713 hcr^?rec^?: PG273 hcr⁺rec⁺) PSF and BSF showed a preferential growth inhibition of the repair-defective strain suggesting DNA-damaging activity of these chemicals. No such activity was found for ESF using the same concentrations of 5 and 15 μmol/plate.All cyclic sulfates revert the tester strain TA1535 of S. typhimurium in vitro indicating their ability to induce base substitutions. Compared with the reference compounds dimethyl sulfate (DMS), diethyl sulfate (DES), 1,3-propane sulfone (PPS) and 1,4-butane sulfone (BTS) the mutagenic activity in the plate test can be described as follows: PPS > PSF > BSF > BTS > ESF > DES > DMS.Dose-response studies in the host-mediated assay with tester strain TA1950 of S. typhimurium as genetic indicator system revealed a linear dosedependency of mutagenic activity. For PPS and PSF the lowest effective dose (LED) has been established as 10 μmol/kg. The LED for BSF and BTS was 50 μmol/kg, DMS and DES were mutagenic in doses of 2500 μmol/kg, while ESF was only weakly mutagenic with a LED of 5000 μmol/kg.The dose-response studies in the host-mediated assay and the results obtained in the in vitro spot test demonstrate similarities in the mutagenic action of the cyclic sulfates PSF and BSF and the respective sulfones, while the stronger alkylating compound ESF was a weak mutagen both in vitro and in vivo.     

Bioactivation of dimethylnitrosamine in intrasanguinous host-mediated assay and its association with in vitro mutagenesis assays

These studies have revealed the usefulness of in vivo intrasanguine host-mediated assay (HMA) to detect point mutations. Mutations were found to occur at a significant rate in Salmonella typhimurium G-46 employed as indicator organisms recovered from liver, lung, kidney and spleen of DMN-treated animals compared to negative control animals. These differences were true for both male and female animals. The number of Salmonella typhimurium G-46 recovered from the testes was not large enough to make a valid judgement about mutations occurring in testes. The results from in vitro studies do not match with the in vivo host-mediated assay results for mutants occurring in spleen from the male and female mice. The results also do not correlate for in vitro and in vivo studies involving female kidneys. These results suggest there may be no one-to-one correlation between the organ bioactivation in vitro and in vivo, and predictions of in vivo target organ cannot always be made from in vitro studies with isolated microsomal enzymes.     

Absence of mutagenicity effects of Psidium cattleyanum Sabine (Myrtaceae) extract on peripheral blood and bone marrow cells of mice

Cattley guava (Psidium cattleyanum Sabine) is a native fruit of Brazil that is popular both as a sweet food and for its reputed therapeutic properties. We examined whether it could damage DNA using the alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) and the micronucleus test in leukocytes and in bone marrow cells of mice. P. cattleyanum leaf extract was tested at concentrations of 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg. N-nitroso-N-ethylurea was used as a positive control. Peripheral blood leukocytes were collected 4 and 24 h after the treatments for the comet assay, and bone marrow cells were collected after 24 and 48 h for the micronucleus test. Unlike N-nitroso-N-ethylurea, P. cattleyanum extract failed to induce a significant increase in cell DNA damage, in micronucleated cell frequency, and in bone marrow toxicity. The lack of mutagenicity and cytotoxicity with high doses of this plant extract means that it can be safely used in traditional medicine.     

Genotoxicity of o-aminoazotoluene (AAT) determined by the Ames test, the in vitro chromosomal aberration test, and the transgenic mouse gene mutation assay

o-Aminoazotoluene (AAT) has been evaluated as a possible human carcinogen (Class 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The Ames test found it to be mutagenic in the presence of a metabolic activation system, whereas it has little clastogenicity either in vitro or in vivo in the chromosomal aberration assay. AAT is also carcinogenic in the lung or liver of mice and rats given long-term administrations. Therefore, metabolites generated in the liver etc. may have gene mutation activity, and carcinogenesis would occur. We examined the mutagenicity of AAT in a gene mutation assay, using lacZ transgenic mice (MutaMice) and a positive selection method. AAT showed positive results for organs with metabolic functions, such as liver and colon and other organs. Positive results were also seen in an Ames test in the presence of metabolic activation and negative results seen in a chromosomal aberration test. Therefore, AAT had the potential to cause gene mutation in the presence of metabolic activation systems in vitro and the same reaction was confirmed in vivo with organs with metabolic function, such as liver and colon, but little clastogenicity in vitro or in vivo. Thus, metabolites with gene mutation activity may be responsible for the carcinogenicity of AAT. The transgenic mouse mutation assay proved to be useful for concurrent assessment of in vivo mutagenicity in multiple organs and to supplement the standard in vivo genotoxicity tests, such as the micronucleus assay which is limited to bone marrow as the only target organ.     

Bone marrow and lymphocyte cytogenetics of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) treated with the clastogen mitomycin C

Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were used to determine their effectiveness as experimental animals for different cytogenetic tests with mitomycin C (MC). The micronucleus test (MNT) and/or chromosome analysis of blood and bone marrow were made before and/or after the treatment with mitomycin C. Thus, the controls data and treated data were obtained from the same animals. With the employed methology, the micronucleus test could not be performed on living animals. Less chromosomal damage was detected in the micronucleus test of post-mortem samples than in the chromosome analysis of bone marrow. No influence by the mutagen could be observed in lymphocyte chromosomes at any of the different times of analysis. In contrast to this, bone-marrow chromosomes seemed to be highly affected by mitomycin C at day 1, 2 and 3 after injection. However, before treatment and at day 14, 16 and 17 after treatment there was no visible increase in chromosomal aberration in bone marrow.     

Assessment of the utility of the micronucleus test for petroleum-derived materials

The micronucleus test is a commonly used in vivo assay for chromosomal damage and is an integral part of many mutagenicity testing strategies. The present report describes an assessment of the micronucleus test for the detection of mutagenic potential of petroleum-derived materials. To this end, studies were conducted with catalytically cracked clarified oil (CCCO). This material contains high levels of polycyclic aromatic constituents (PAC) and is a very potent inducer of mouse skin tumors. CCCO is also active in the Salmonella assay and other in vitro tests. As CCCO is the most potent of the various petroleum-derived materials in other assays, it was assumed to be the most easily detectable in the micronucleus test. CCCO was tested in standard mouse micronucleus tests utilizing oral and intraperitoneal injection for test material administration. All of these studies were negative, although DMBA, tested at roughly equivalent levels based on potency in the Salmonella assay, produced statistically significant increases in micronucleus frequency. In a second series of studies, aromatic fractions of CCCO were prepared and tested at up to acutely toxic levels. Results of these studies were also negative. Finally, another petroleum-derived material which is carcinogenic and contained PAC was tested in the micronucleus assay. It also produced negative results. Thus, it was concluded that petroleum-derived materials do not produce clastogenic effects in vivo in the mouse micronucleus test, despite the fact that some pure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are quite active in this assay.     

Experimental Research on the In Vitro Antitumor Effects of Crataegus sanguinea

Crataegus sanguinea is a wild plant, which has been widely grown in the north and south of the Tianshan mountains in Xinjiang. In order to explore their anti-cancer properties, edible wild plants from Xinjiang have been tested for their antitumor properties. We used Ames tests, mouse bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes micronucleus tests, and tumor cells cultured in vitro to study the anti-mutagenic and anti-tumor effects of C. sanguinea extract. We have shown that C. sanguinea has anti-mutagenic effect, but no mutagenicity. Cell culture in vitro experiments show that there is no inhibition of growth or increase in cell death on normal mouse fibroblasts, but a stronger inhibition of cell growth and an increase in cell death of Hep-2 and MGC-803 tumor cells. The results of this study illustrate that C. sanguinea extract has both anti-mutagenic and anti-tumor effects.     

Mutagenicity studies with nitrofurans: III. Mutagenicity testing of nitrofurylacrylic acid in human blood and urine

Human blood and urine mutagenicity of 3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylic acid (5-NFA) was analysed by using Salmonella typhimurium indicator strains TA100 and TA98 and the cytogenetic analysis of human peripheral lymphocytes. 8 human volunteers were given doses of 1 g 5-NFA per os. The mutagenic effect in blood was analysed after 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 h, in urine after 0, 2 and 4 h. Cytogenetic analysis was done 0, 24 and 72 h after administration of 5-NFA. The experiment was repeated with 3 volunteers in the course of 96 h.When each of 8 volunteers consumed 1 g of 5-NFA, the mutagenicity was observed in 6 blood samples 1 h after exposure for strain TA98 (doubled number of revertants) and in all urine samples taken between the 2nd and 6th hours for both strains used. 7 volunteers given 10 mg 5-NFA in wine (2 sets) showed no mutagenicity of blood or urine for TA100 or TA98 indicator strains. These results are believed to indicate an enhanced elimination of 5-NFA from the human body.     

Technical aspects of automatic micronucleus analysis in rodent bone marrow assays

The mouse bone marrow micronucleus assay is anin vivo test commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry to evaluate the genotoxic potential of new compounds. The test detects agent-induced chromosomal damage or damage of the mitotic spindle apparatus. In this paper the state-of-the-art in automated rodent micronucleus evaluation using computerized image analyis in combination with high-quality slides obtained by the cellulose column fractionation technique is reviewed. The latter allows the effective removal of nucleated cells from rodent bone marrow. It has been found that automatic micronucleus scoring with the Leitz MIAC image analyzer is substantially faster than labor-intensive manual analysis. Automatic scoring can be performed overnight for up to 16 slides. We have been successfully using automatic micronucleus analysis for the testing of new pharmaceutical drugs for more than 3 years.Abbreviations MNE NCE containing micronuclei - MPE PCE containing micronuclei - NCE normochromatic erythrocyte - PCE polychromatic erythrocyte deceased on 25 May 1994