Study on Vivo Genotoxicity of Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether in Mice

Objective To explore the genotoxicity of domestic produced Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether(MTBE).Methods The mice were administered MTBE by inhalation at 108,1 440 or 4 968mg/m³ for 20 consecutive days.The genotoxicity of MTBE in mice was detected by single cell gel electrophoresis assay,DNA cross-links test and mouse bone marrow micronucleus test.Results MTBE could cause DNA single strand breaks in mice hepatocytes,kidney cells and lung cells.It could increase the frequency of mice bone marrow micronucleus at 4 968mg/m³.MTBE could not induce DNA cross-links of hepatocytes in vivo.Conclusion MTBE produced in the domestic had some genotoxicity at DNA level and chromosome level.