Semicarbazide is not genotoxic in the flow cytometry-based micronucleus assay in vivo.
Semicarbazide, mainly produced for research purposes, has been known for various reasons within foods. It occurs as one of the break-down products of nitrofurans, a group of widely used veterinary drugs, and as a break-down product of azodicarbonamide used as a flour treatment agent to improve baking properties. Furthermore, it occurs in carrageenan, a food additive (thickener). Semicarbazide was tested for genotoxicity. In this study, we present results from the flow cytometer-based micronucleus assay in peripheral blood of mice. Male CBA and Balb/C mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with semicarbazide (hydrochloride). The doses were: 0, 40, 80, 120 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected and the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, fMPCE, and the cell proliferation, %PCE, was determined. In order to further increase the sensitivity of the test for agents with an aneugenic property, also the fMPCE restricted to micronuclei containing a high mean DNA content, was measured. Neither of the different analyses disclosed any adverse effect in either of the two mouse strains.
Abramsson-Zetterberg
Lilianne
L
Livsmedelsverket, National Food Administration, Toxicology Division, Box 622, 751 26 Uppsala, Sweden. liab@slv.se
Svensson
Kettil
K
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D015162:Micronucleus Tests / Q000379:methods; D012663:Semicarbazides / Q000633:toxicity*
D012663:Semicarbazides; C010059:carbamylhydrazine