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In vitro genotoxicity of dimethyl terephthalate
S Monarca1, B L Pool-Zobel, R Rizzi
1Chair of Environmental Health, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Italy.
Abstract:
Dimethyl terephthalate (DMTP), the para configuration of dimethyl phthalate, is one of the basic monomers used in the synthesis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. Human exposure to DMTP may primarily occur during the manufacture of PET fibers and films. The mutagenic potential of dimethyl terephthalate was evaluated using a battery of in vitro short-term tests: the Ames test; DNA single-strand break assays in CO60 cells and in primary rat hepatocytes; UDS in HeLa cells; chromosome aberration and micronucleus assays in human peripheral blood lymphocytes; selective DNA amplification in CO60 and in Syrian hamster embryo cells. The results of this battery of in vitro assays clearly show that DMTP is nongenotoxic. By contrast, other authors have found DMTP to be an in vivo clastogenic compound and suggested that the mechanisms involved in these in vivo effects seem to have nothing in common with genotoxicity and are still unknown.
Insights
Dimethyl terephthalate (DMTP) showed no mutagenic potential in a comprehensive series of in vitro tests. These findings indicate DMTP is nongenotoxic, despite some conflicting in vivo data.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Molecular Biology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Dimethyl terephthalate (DMTP) is a key monomer in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) production.
- Human exposure to DMTP is primarily associated with PET manufacturing processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the mutagenic potential of dimethyl terephthalate (DMTP) using a battery of in vitro assays.
- To determine if DMTP poses a genotoxic risk to human health.
Main Methods:
- Ames test for bacterial reverse mutation.
- DNA single-strand break assays in CO60 cells and rat hepatocytes.
- Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) in HeLa cells.
- Chromosome aberration and micronucleus assays in human lymphocytes.
- Selective DNA amplification in CO60 and Syrian hamster embryo cells.
Main Results:
- The comprehensive battery of in vitro assays demonstrated that DMTP is nongenotoxic.
- No evidence of mutagenicity or genotoxicity was observed across the tested endpoints.
Conclusions:
- Dimethyl terephthalate (DMTP) is considered nongenotoxic based on extensive in vitro testing.
- Further investigation may be needed to reconcile these findings with reported in vivo clastogenic effects.