Effects of tartrazine on proliferation and genetic damage in human lymphocytes

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Genetics
• Food Science

Background:

• Tartrazine (TRZ) is a widely used color additive in food, drugs, and cosmetics.
• The genotoxicity of TRZ and its metabolites, particularly in human systems with metabolic activation, requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of TRZ and its metabolites on cultured human lymphocytes.
• To evaluate these effects in the presence and absence of a metabolic activator (S9 mix).

Main Methods:

• Cultured human lymphocytes were treated with varying concentrations of TRZ (625, 1250, 2500 μg/ml).
• Tests included chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) assays.
• Experiments were conducted both with and without the addition of S9 mix.

Main Results:

• TRZ exhibited cytotoxic activity at the highest concentration (2500 μg/ml) by decreasing the mitotic index (MI) in the absence of S9 mix.
• Both TRZ and its metabolites significantly increased chromosome aberrations (CAs) and aberrant cells at higher concentrations, with or without S9 mix.
• Elevated micronucleus (MN) values were observed at the highest TRZ concentration in both conditions.

Conclusions:

• Tartrazine and its metabolites possess genotoxic potential in human lymphocyte cultures.
• TRZ can induce cytotoxicity at high concentrations, especially without metabolic activation (S9 mix).
• Further research into the safety of TRZ is warranted.