Comparative mutagenicity of 2-methylpropene (isobutene), its epoxide 2-methyl-1,2-epoxypropane and propylene oxide in the in vitro micronucleus test using human lymphocytes.
2-Methylpropene (isobutene), a gaseous compound widely used in chemical industries, is metabolized to the epoxide 2-methyl-1,2-epoxypropane. The parent compound has previously been shown to be non-mutagenic in a modified Ames test, whereas the epoxide metabolite gave a positive result. In this study, both compounds have been tested in the in vitro micronucleus test using human lymphocytes. Propylene oxide, a well known mutagenic compound, served as a positive control. It was found that 2-methylpropene had no mutagenic effect, whereas its epoxide induced a statistically significant dose-dependent increase in the number of micronuclei. The effect observed was comparable with that obtained for propylene oxide.
Jorritsma
U
U
Institut für Arbeitsphysiologie, Universität Dortmund, Abt. Toxikologie und Arbeitsmedizin, Germany.
Cornet
M
M
Van Hummelen
P
P
Bolt
H M
HM
Vercruysse
A
A
Kirsch-Volders
M
M
Rogiers
V
V
D000475:Alkenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods*; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity*
D000475:Alkenes; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D009153:Mutagens; C071507:2-methyl-1,2-epoxypropane; C008176:isobutylene; C009068:propylene oxide