title: Cytotoxic activity and transformation of BALB/c 3T3 cells in vitro by the insecticide acephate.
abstract: Cytotoxic and cell transforming activity of the organophosphate insecticide acephate have been studied in an in vitro experimental model which foresees the exposure of BALB/c 3T3 cells to the chemical. The assay was performed in the presence or absence of metabolic activation system derived from phenobarbital and beta-naphthoflavone induced rats (S9-mix). Cytotoxicity of acephate was unaffected by the presence of the metabolizing fraction. Cell-transforming potential, evidenced through the induction of transformation foci, was observed at all tested doses (i.e. 100, 200 and 400 micrograms/ml) with or without exogenous bioactivation. This activity was related with cell proliferation since it was particularly evident in a level-II cell-transformation assay when the cells were allowed to perform active proliferative activity. These findings, obtained in a medium-term (6-8 weeks) test, may contribute to a better understanding of the action of acephate in the multistep carcinogenesis, proving more information on the oncogenic risk to humans.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cancerology, University of Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perocco
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Ciello
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colacci
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pozzetti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paolini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cantelli-Forti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grilli
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D063088:Phosphoramides; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D009946:Organothiophosphorus Compounds; D063088:Phosphoramides; C001969:acephate