Effect of bitumen fume on cell circle of lung cells in mice

  Objective   To observe the effects of bitumen fume on cell circle of lungtissue cells in mice and to investigate the carcinogenic and mutagenic mechanism of bitumen fume.

  Methods   The experimental mice were forced to inhale the bitumen fume at different exposure level and different time periods.The cell circle was analyzed by flow cytometry.

  Results   The bitumen fume could result in the decrease of the cell number of G1 phase, the block of S phase, the delay of G2/M phase, the increase of cell proliferation index(PI)and the incr ease of DNA aneuploid index(DI).All the changes were correlated with the exposure level and the time of action.

  Conclusion   The bitumen fume could affect the cell circle of lung tissue cells and promote cell proliferation in mice.