Genotoxic, mutagenic and cytotoxic effects of the commercial dye CI Disperse Blue 291 in the human hepatic cell line HepG2

• Published in: Toxicology in vitro Vol. 21; no. 8; pp. 1650 - 1655
• Main Authors: Tsuboy, M.S., Angeli, J.P.F., Mantovani, M.S., Knasmüller, S., Umbuzeiro, G.A., Ribeiro, L.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2007
• Subjects: Acetanilides - toxicity; Azo Compounds - toxicity; Azo dye; Cell Line; Cell viability; CI Disperse Blue 291; Coloring Agents - toxicity; Comet assay; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hepatocytes - drug effects; HepG2; Humans; Micronucleus test; Molecular Structure; Mutagenicity Tests; HepG2; Cell viability; Micronucleus test; Azo dye; Comet assay; CI Disperse Blue 291
• ISSN: 0887-2333; 1879-3177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2007.06.020

Textile dyes are discarded into the aquatic ecosystem via industrial effluents and potentially expose humans and local biota to adverse effects. The commercial dye CI Disperse Blue 291 which contains the aminoazobenzene 2-[(2-bromo-4,6-dinitrophenyl)azo]-5(diethylamino)-4-methoxyacetanilide (CAS registry no. 56548-64-2), was tested for genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, using the comet assay, micronucleus (MN) test and a cell viability test. Five different concentrations of the test compound were examined: 200 μg/ml, 400 μg/ml, 600 μg/ml, 800 μg/ml and 1000 μg/ml. An increase in comet tail length and in the frequency of MN was detected with exposure of cells to concentrations of the commercial dye from 400 μg/ml. Furthermore, the dye was found to decrease cell viability. The results of this study demonstrate for the first time the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of the dye CI Disperse Blue 291 in mammalian cells, thus stressing the need to develop non-mutagenic dyes and to invest in improving the treatment of effluents. These measures will help to prevent harmful effects that these compounds can have on humans and aquatic organisms that come in contact with them.