Comet assay for the detection of genotoxicity in blood cells of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to sediments and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
To investigate the genotoxic effect of marine sediments on aquatic organism, sediment samples were collected from 13 sites along the coast of Gwangyang Bay (Korea). Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments were determined and the relationship between exposure of flounder blood cells to sediment extracts and DNA single-strand breakage in the blood cells was examined using the comet assay. Levels of DNA damage were proportionally increased by exposure concentration and the highest sediment-associated DNA damage was observed at the station showing the highest PAHs contamination. DNA damage in blood cells exposed to five types of PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, fluoranthene, anthracene, pyrene and phenanthrene) and in flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) for 0, 2 and 4 days were assessed by measuring comet tail length. The tail lengths of five PAHs-exposed groups at 50 and 100 ppb were significantly different from the non-exposed group, and the genotoxic effect of BaP correlated with both concentration and duration of exposure. Throughout the study, significant differences in DNA breakage were recorded between cells exposed to sediment extracts or PAHs and non-exposed control. This study demonstrated the comet assay as a successful tool in monitoring contamination of marine sediments and assessing genotoxicity of PAHs in marine organisms, either in vitro or in vivo.
Woo
Seonock
S
Southern Coastal Environment Research Division, Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Geoje 656-830, South Korea.
Kim
Sojung
S
Yum
Seungshic
S
Yim
Un Hyuk
UH
Lee
Taek Kyun
TK
D000818:Animals; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D020552:Comet Assay / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005432:Flounder / Q000502:physiology*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D013997:Time Factors
D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons