Evaluation of the sensitivity of three sublethal cytotoxicity assays in human HepG2 cell line using water contaminants.
The in vitro toxicological index IC50 (the millimolar concentration of compound which inhibits response assay by 50% compared to the solvent control) of 11 water contaminants (acrylamide, atrazine, B[a]P, BPA, 2,4-DAT, 17-alphaEE, H(2)O(2), 4-OP, sodium bromate, sodium chlorate, sodium nitrate) was evaluated on the human hepatoma (HepG2) cells using three short-term bioassays related to their morbidity status [radiometric RNA synthesis assay (RNA), luminometric ATP assay (ATP), fluorometric Alamar blue assay (AB)]. Among all substances, we were not able to determine atrazine IC50 value whatever the test used. Furthermore, B[a]P was not cytotoxic in the ATP and AB assays. Statistical analysis revealed a correlation between the IC50 values obtained in the three assays. Except with 4-OP, RNA assay was always inhibited at lower concentrations than those required in the other assays, suggesting that this assay is a very sensitive indicator of the presence of toxic compounds. ATP and AB assays responded to a similar pattern. Due to its higher sensitivity and its reliability, RNA synthesis assay using HepG2 cell line provides the most suitable tool for the screening of water contaminants.
Jondeau
Adeline
A
ENSBANA, UMR (1234) Toxicologie Alimentaire, 1 Esplanade Erasme, F-21000 Dijon, France. adeline.jondeau@u-bourgogne.fr
Dahbi
Laurence
L
Bani-Estivals
Marie-Hélène
MH
Chagnon
Marie-Christine
MC
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D049449:Luminescence; D010078:Oxazines; D012313:RNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*; D014966:Xanthenes
D004396:Coloring Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010078:Oxazines; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014966:Xanthenes; C005843:resazurin; D012313:RNA; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate