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Oxygen radical-mediated mutagenic effect of asbestos on human lymphocytes: suppression by oxygen radical scavengers
L G Korkina1, A D Durnev, T B Suslova
12nd Moscow Medical Institute, U.S.S.R.
Abstract:
The mutagenic effect of chrysotile asbestos fibers and zeolite and latex particles on human lymphocytes in whole blood has been studied. It was concluded that their mutagenic activities were mediated by oxygen radicals because they were inhibited by antioxidant enzymes (SOD and catalase) and oxygen radical scavengers (rutin, ascorbic acid, and bemitil). It was proposed that oxygen radicals were released by phagocytes activated upon exposure to mineral dusts and fibers. The study of lucigenin- and luminol-amplified chemiluminescence of peritoneal macrophages stimulated by chrysotile fibers and zeolite and latex particles has shown that their mutagenic action is probably mediated by different oxygen species, namely, by the iron-oxygen complexes (perferryl ions) plus hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide ion, respectively. From the oxygen radical scavengers studied, rutin was the most effective inhibitor of the mutagenic effect of mineral fibers and dusts.
Insights
Chrysotile asbestos, zeolite, and latex particles cause mutations via oxygen radicals. Antioxidants like rutin effectively inhibit this mutagenic effect, suggesting a role for phagocyte-released radicals.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mineral dusts and fibers, including chrysotile asbestos, zeolite, and latex particles, can induce mutagenic effects.
- The precise mechanisms underlying particle-induced mutagenicity, particularly the role of reactive oxygen species, require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mutagenic potential of chrysotile asbestos, zeolite, and latex particles on human lymphocytes.
- To determine the role of oxygen radicals in mediating the mutagenic effects of these particles.
- To identify effective oxygen radical scavengers against particle-induced mutagenicity.
Main Methods:
- Assessing mutagenic effects on human lymphocytes in whole blood.
- Utilizing antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase) and radical scavengers (rutin, ascorbic acid, bemitil) to probe radical involvement.
- Measuring chemiluminescence of peritoneal macrophages stimulated by particles to identify specific oxygen species.
Main Results:
- Mutagenic activities of chrysotile, zeolite, and latex particles were significantly inhibited by antioxidant enzymes and scavengers, indicating mediation by oxygen radicals.
- Different oxygen species, including iron-oxygen complexes (perferryl ions) with hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide alone, and superoxide ions, were implicated in the mutagenicity of the respective particles.
- Rutin demonstrated the highest efficacy in inhibiting the mutagenic effects of mineral fibers and dusts.
Conclusions:
- The mutagenicity of chrysotile asbestos, zeolite, and latex particles is mediated by oxygen radicals released from activated phagocytes.
- Specific oxygen species are involved, varying with the type of particle exposure.
- Rutin is a potent inhibitor of particle-induced mutagenicity, offering a potential protective strategy against mineral dust and fiber exposure.