Evaluation of mutagenic effects of formocresol: detection of DNA-protein cross-links and micronucleus in mouse bone marrow.
OBJECTIVE
The genotoxic potential of formocresol was assessed by comet assay on human peripheral blood lymphocytes and in vivo micronucleus in mice.


METHODS
Peripheral blood lymphocytes, obtained from healthy donors, were exposed directly with different dilutions of formocresol for 45 minutes at 37 degrees C. To verify the possibility of formocresol to induce DNA-protein cross-links, treated lymphocytes were incubated with proteinase K. Micronucleus test was performed on male Swiss mice treated with several dilutions of formocresol by single intraperitoneal injection. After treatment, bone marrow was sampled 24 and 48 hours after formocresol administration.


RESULTS
Formocresol did not produce detectable DNA damage as evaluated by comet assay. However, after proteinase K exposure, a dose-dependent increase of DNA migration was observed. Formocresol induced a significant increase in micronucleus frequencies at the highest dilution only at 24 hours after administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Formocresol induced DNA-protein cross-links and an increased frequency of micronucleus.
Ramos
Maria Emília Santos Pereira
ME
Department of Health, Feira de Santana State University, Feira de Santana, Brazil.
Cavalcanti
Bruno Coêlho
BC
Lotufo
Letícia Veras Costa
LV
de Moraes
Manoel Odorico
MO
Cerqueira
Eneida de Moraes Marcílio
Ede M
Pessoa
Cláudia
C
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020552:Comet Assay; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D018736:DNA Adducts; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000633:toxicity*; D005566:Formocresols / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D016296:Mutagenesis
D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D018736:DNA Adducts; D003764:Dental Materials; D005566:Formocresols; C031025:formocresol