Genetic toxicology studies with 2-nitrobenzofurans and 2-nitronaphthofurans

The genetic toxicity of benzofurans and naphthofurans was further examined. (i) Seven new 2-nitronaphthofurans tested give a positive response on strains TA1537, TA1538, TA98, TA100, but not on strain TA1535. This response depends at least partially on the bacterial nitroreductase activities and is decreased in presence of activating mixture from rat liver. (ii) A correlation is observed between the mutagenic potency assayed in the Mutatest and the phage-inducing potency assayed in the Inductest. The relevance of these results and of complementary tests on uvr + Salmonella strains and the Spermatest are briefly discussed in perspective of the possible genetic toxicity of the compounds on mammals.