title: Chromosomal effects of carcinogens and non-carcinogens on WI-38 after short term exposures with and without metabolic activation.
abstract: The human diploid fibroblast culture, WI-38 was analyzed for chromosomal damage after 24 h exposures to benzo(a)pyrene (BP), 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA), n-methyl-n'-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO), pyrene and caffeine. A low concentration of 4NQO (0.15 micron) and MNNG (1.9 micron) produced breakage and exchange figures. A relatively high concentration of caffeine (1300 micron) caused breakage. The other compounds (BP, MCA and pyrene) caused little or no increase in damage above the control levels. A 1-h pulse exposure of WI-38 cells to BP (40 micron) in the presence of a rat liver homogenate supernate (S-9) resulted in damage significantly greater than the untreated cells or cells treated with BP alone. 4NQO (0.25 micron) produced exchange figures after a similar 1-h exposure, but this effect was eliminated by the S-9. A much higher concentration of caffeine (10,300 micron) was required to cause breakage greater than control levels after a one hour exposure. The results indicate a possible short term in vitro human cell system for distinguishing carcinogens, procarcinogens, and noncarcinogens.
mesh_terms: D015112:4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001580:Benzopyrenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000187:drug effects; D004171:Diploidy; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D008748:Methylcholanthrene / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008769:Methylnitronitrosoguanidine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009600:Nitroquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D001580:Benzopyrenes; D009600:Nitroquinolines; D011721:Pyrenes; D008769:Methylnitronitrosoguanidine; D002110:Caffeine; D008748:Methylcholanthrene; D015112:4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide