Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of wood drying condensate from Southern Yellow Pine: an in vitro study

We tested condensates from Southern Yellow Pine for potential cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in CHO-WBL and human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in the absence of S-9 activation. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by the Trypan blue exclusion assay, mitotic index (MI) and proliferative rate index (PRI). Genotoxicity was measured by the chromosome aberration (CA) assay and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) analysis. Both cytotoxic and genotoxic effects were observed. Laboratory-generated Southern Yellow Pine condensate reduced the viability of CHO-WBL cells. The number of viable cells was roughly inversely proportional to dosage over a range of 100% to 31% in treated groups, in both experiments, as compared to 2.6 x 10(5) (100%) in the control. The MI data in both CHO cells and PBL also showed an inverse correlation. The highest scorable dose limited by toxicity was determined to be 1 ml of Southern Yellow Pine condensate in 10 ml total of medium. Lastly, a dose response curve was observed in CHO cells, as well as in PBL, using the CA assay and also with the SCE analysis. The present findings corroborate the results from Ames testing and represent the only information currently available on the genotoxic potential of these chemicals.