Genotoxic effects of chromium(VI) and cadmium(II) in human blood lymphocytes using the electron microscopy in situ end-labeling (EM-ISEL) assay

• Published in: Toxicology in vitro Vol. 20; no. 4; pp. 513 - 518
• Main Authors: Depault, François, Cojocaru, Marilena, Fortin, Fléchère, Chakrabarti, Saroj, Lemieux, Nicole
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Cadmium; Cadmium Chloride - toxicity; Cell Survival - drug effects; Chromates - toxicity; Chromium; DNA Damage; DNA single-strand breaks; DNA, Single-Stranded - drug effects; DNA, Single-Stranded - ultrastructure; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Electron microscopy in situ end-labeling; Genotoxicity; Humans; In Situ Nick-End Labeling - methods; Lymphocytes - drug effects; Lymphocytes - ultrastructure; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission - methods; Microscopy, Immunoelectron - methods; Mutagenicity Tests; Mutagens - toxicity; Potassium Compounds - toxicity; Cadmium; MMS; IGP; SSB; Genotoxicity; Chromium; EM; S.D; EM-ISEL; DNA single-strand breaks; Electron microscopy in situ end-labeling
• ISSN: 0887-2333; 1879-3177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2005.09.003

Evaluation of genotoxic effects of potassium chromate (K 2CrO 4) and cadmium chloride (CdCl 2) was carried out in human blood lymphocytes in vitro as measured by the electron microscopy in situ end-labeling (EM-ISEL). EM-ISEL was used to assess DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) expressed as number of immunogold particles per μm 2 of chromatin at both chromosomal and nuclear DNA levels. Human lymphocytes were cultured in supplemented RPMI medium for 72 h including treatment for 2 h with K 2CrO 4 (0–150 μM), CdCl 2 (0–150 μM) or methyl methanesulfonate (500 μM) as a positive control. Quantification of SSBs by EM-ISEL showed that both compounds are genotoxic agents at non-cytotoxic concentrations. This study brings new information on the utility of EM-ISEL for the evaluation of genotoxicity and confirms the genotoxic effects induced by chromium and cadmium.