Objective To investigate genetic toxicity of three persistent organic pollutants(POPs), including aroclor1254, DDT and Toxaphene, using human derived hepatoma(HepG2)cells/in vitromicronucleus assay.
Methods HepG2 cells were treated with Aroclor1254, DDT and Toxaphene respectively for 24 hours, and further incubated in the medium supplemented with cytochalasin B(3 μg/ml)for 24 hours.Micronuclei(MN)were scored in 1 000 binucleated Hep G2 cells.
Results Compared with solvent control, tox aphene increased significantly MN frequencies in HepG2 cells at concentrations of 20, 40 μmol/L respectively(P < 0.01, P < 0.01).No significant increase of MN frequencies were found in HepG2 cells treated with Aroclor1254(23~184 μmol/L)and DDT(17.8~60μmol/L).
Conclusion Aroclor1254 and DDT do not show clear genetic toxicity in HepG2 cells.Toxaphene could induce genetic damage in HepG2 cells, and further study is needed to evaluate its potential adverse effects on human health.