Biomonitoring human exposure to environmental carcinogenic chemicals.

A coordinated study was carried out on the development, evaluation and application of biomonitoring procedures for populations exposed to environmental genotoxic pollutants. The procedures used involved both direct measurement of DNA or protein damage (adducts) and assessment of second biological effects (mutation and cytogenetic damage). Adduct detection at the level of DNA or protein (haemoglobin) was carried out by 32P-postlabelling, immunochemical, HPLC or mass spectrometric methods. Urinary excretion products resulting from DNA damage were also estimated (immunochemical assay, mass spectrometry). The measurement of adducts was focused on those from genotoxicants that result from petrochemical combustion or processing, e.g. low-molecular-weight alkylating agents, PAHs and compounds that cause oxidative DNA damage. Cytogenetic analysis of lymphocytes was undertaken (micronuclei, chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges) and mutation frequency was estimated at a number of loci including the hprt gene and genes involving in cancer development. Blood and urine samples from individuals exposed to urban pollution were collected. Populations exposed through occupational or medical sources to larger amounts of some of the genotoxic compounds present in the environmental samples were used as positive controls for the environmentally exposed population. Samples from rural areas were used as negative controls. The project has led to new, more sensitive and more selective approaches for detecting carcinogen-induced damage to DNA and proteins, and subsequent biological effects. These methods were validated with the occupational exposures, which showed evidence of DNA and/or protein and/or chromosome damage in workers in a coke oven plant, garage workers exposed to diesel exhaust and workers exposed to ethylene oxide in a sterilization plant. Dose reponse and adduct repair were studied for methylated adducts in patients treated with methylating cytostatic drugs. The biomonitoring methods have also demonstrated their potential for detecting environmental exposure to genotoxic compounds in nine groups of non-smoking individuals, 32P-postlabelling of DNA adducts being shown to have the greatest sensitivity.

Evaluation of three methods for the detection of DNA single-strand breaks in human lymphocytes: alkaline elution, nick translation, and single-cell gel electrophoresis.

The aim of this study is to assess the ability of three methods, alkaline elution (AE), nick translation (NT), and single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), to detect DNA single-strand breaks (ssb) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBL) exposed in vitro to three genotoxic agents; gamma-rays, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE). The ultimate objective is to select the most feasible, sensitive, and reproducible method for the monitoring of populations exposed to genotoxic agents. AE and NT do not seem suitable assays. AE is able to detect DNA lesions induced by the three compounds, but only at relatively high doses (2 Gy, 5 mM EMS and 20 microM BPDE). With NT, DNA alterations induced by gamma-rays are not detected and ssb are only evidenced after exposure to EMS (80 mM), which already alters the viability of the lymphocytes. Nick translation is able to detect ssb induced by 10 microM BPDE. Compared to the other assays, the sensitivity of the SCGE assay is significantly higher since statistically significant changes were detected after incubation with 0.5 mM EMS and 1.25 microM BDPE. SCGE is a relatively simple method, not time-consuming and applicable to a large number of samples per working day. In conclusion, on the basis of the results of this in vitro comparison, SCGE seems a promising method for the monitoring of populations exposed to genotoxic chemicals.

Study of numerical aberrations of chromosome 1 by fluorescent in situ hybridization and DNA content by densitometric analysis on (pre)-malignant cervical lesions.

In an attempt to determine whether the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) can be used as a rapid approach for the identification of aneuploidy in premalignant cervical smears, a centromeric probe for chromosome 1 was used. The results from the FISH experiments were compared with measurements of the overall DNA content obtained by means of an image analysis system. With progression to neoplasia, a decrease of the frequency of cells with two spots was observed, due to an increasing polysomy of chromosome 1. As far as the DNA content was concerned, an increasing DNA index and 5C-exceeding ratio (fraction of cells with a DNA content higher than 5C) was observed. Classification of the FISH results by a linear discriminant analysis revealed that 67.6% of the cases were classified in agreement with the CIN classification. These data suggest that chromosome 1 may be considered as a marker chromosome for pre-malignant cervical lesions and that the DNA content measurements are complementary to the FISH results.

Improved detection of DNA aneuploidy in primary breast cancer using quantitative DNA image analysis in combination with fluorescent in situ hybridization technique.

To obtain more information about the relationship between numerical aberrations of chromosome 1 and the overall DNA content of breast cancer cells, fluorescent in situ hybridization with a pericentromeric probe for this chromosome and image analysis based densitometry were carried out on imprints of benign (15 cases, mainly fibroadenomas) and malignant breast disease (31 invasive ductal carcinomas out of 45 cases). The most pronounced aneuploidy was observed in invasive ductal and lobular carcinoma cases both by in situ hybridization and DNA content (76.7 and 75.0% were aneuploid). The frequency of cells with two spots for chromosome 1 was 48.3 and 51.5%, respectively, as compared to 80.3% in control lymphocytes. There was a weak overall correlation (r2 = 0.83) between DNA content and copy number of chromosome 1 in the malignant samples, although some of the DNA diploid/near diploid carcinomas showed a marked aneusomy for this chromosome. Also, some aberrations were present in the benign breast disease samples. Classification of cases by a linear discriminant analysis was most accurate when both techniques were combined (77% of cases correctly classified, according to anatomo-pathological diagnosis). The variables which received the highest weight in the linear discriminant function are the percentage DNA-diploid cells and the fraction of cells with two spots for chromosome 1. The sensitivity and sources of error of both techniques is considered.

Aneugen-induced micronuclei (MN) in human lymphocytes may be discerned using image analysis techniques when cell-cycle stage is taken into account.

We show that for the in vitro cytochalasin-B human lymphocyte micronucleus (MN) test, the quantification of the DNA content of MN and the difference in DNA content between the two macronuclei in the binucleate cells without MN, as measured by image analysis, gives a first estimation of the aneugenic potential of a test compound. Cultures of isolated human lymphocytes were exposed either to gamma-rays as a clastogen or to carbendazim (MBC) as an aneugen. The lymphocytes were stained with Feulgen stain and the MN were analyzed for DNA content with a Magiscan 2A image analyzer. The mean DNA content of MN induced by MBC were statistically higher than gamma-irradiation-induced MN. It was demonstrated that in culture the lymphocytes, as well as the MN, are in different stages of the cell cycle, but this will not affect the discriminating power of the MN DNA content when only G1 cells are considered, or when DNA content of the MN is expressed relative to the total genome. The identification of G1 and G2 cell populations from image analysis data was performed by extrapolation of DNA content data from G1- and G2-sorted lymphocytes with a FacStar plus flow sorter. It was demonstrated that in MBC-treated cells the DNA rearrangement between the macronuclei in binucleates without MN was on the average higher than in gamma-irradiated and untreated cells, which points to aneugenic effects of MBC without the formation of MN. In contrast to DNA content measurements, the area of the MN is not a reliable measure for discriminating clastogens from aneugens.

Aneuploidy for chromosome 1 and overall DNA content in benign and malignant breast disease.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a probe for the pericentromeric region of chromosome 1 and DNA content measurements by image-analysis-based densitometry have been carried out on imprints of benign and malignant breast tissue. In general, an increase in the number of spots per nucleus was observed in the invasive carcinomas, with a large intercellular variation. In comparison with lymphocytes from controls, some cases of benign breast disease already had an increased frequency of aneusomy of chromosome 1, although they were all (near)diploid by DNA-content. However, an overall concordance between the DNA content measurements and the results of FISH was observed, although some exceptions were seen. A statistically significant correlation between the DNA index and the mean number of spots for chromosome 1 per nucleus was found. A linear discriminant analysis was applied on the data; the resulting classification of patients was most accurate when parameters describing DNA content and FISH results were combined.

Patch test reactions to mite antigens: a GERDA multicentre study. Groupe d'Etudes et de Recherches en Dermato-Allergie.

We performed patch tests with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) antigens from 2 different sources in 355 non-randomly selected patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and 398 subjects of a control group. The study demonstrated that contact sensitization to mites occurred in an appreciable % of AD cases (20.8%), using commonly available assay products. The differences recorded between the 2 materials tested were related to the concentration of P1 antigen. Non-atopic patients rarely showed positive reactions to Dp (0.75%), when strict criteria for readings were applied and if 2 readings were performed. Patients with positive patch tests did not necessarily show positive immediate skin tests. It would be useful to carry out tests systematically in atopic patients, even if it is not yet known what modern treatment would be best for the patient. Laboratories still do not provide standardized house dust mite preparations--measuring and codifying their biological activity--for use in patch tests. It is to be hoped that the extension of this type of test will lead to the production of better test materials, in syringes with homogeneous dispersion and concentration.

Frequency and DNA content of micronuclei in rat parenchymal liver cells during experimental hepatocarcinogenesis.

Liver carcinogenesis is considered to be a good experimental model to study the sequential changes leading to cancer and was applied here for the analysis of chromosome/genome mutations. Since the micronucleus test was shown to be an adequate method to detect and analyse chromosome changes in dividing cells, the frequency of micronuclei (MN) together with their relative DNA content (DNA content of the MN divided by the DNA content of the corresponding nucleus) were analysed in hepatocytes isolated from rats at different stages of experimentally induced hepatocarcinogenesis. The protocol used for the induction of liver cancer was based on the triphasic 'Gerlans protocol', a Solt-Farber procedure supplemented with a phenobarbital (PB) promotion step. Male Wistar rats were initiated by a single i.p. dose of diethylnitrosamine (DENA), followed by selection of the resistant hepatocytes by 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF). Subsequent promotion was accomplished by chronic exposure to phenobarbital. For each group of rats a mitotic stimulator (CCl4) is necessary at the end of their treatment period to express the clastogenic and/or aneugenic lesions which may lead to micronuclei. The results of these experiments do confirm that genetic alterations are occurring at the chromosome level (MN expression) during the different steps of experimental rat liver carcinogenesis. DNA measurements seem to be a good genetic parameter to detect eventual differences between the chromosomal content (whole chromosome or chromosome fragments) of MN populations appearing in different stages of the carcinogenic process. Moreover, a comparison between the mono- and bi-nucleated cell population showed that the frequency of micronuclei is higher in mononuclear parenchymal liver cells.

Comparative mutagenicity of structurally related aliphatic epoxides in a modified Salmonella/microsome assay.

Four structurally related aliphatic epoxides (1,2-epoxypropane, 1,2-epoxyisobutane, cis- and trans-2,3-epoxybutane) have been tested in the Salmonella/microsome assay, modified for volatile substances, using the strains TA1535 and TA100. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of methylation on the mutagenicity of 1,2-epoxypropane in this vaporization assay, with and without exogenous metabolization. All substances induced a significant increase of revertants in the strains TA1535 and TA100. In terms of mutagenic potency, the following hierarchy was observed in the standard tester strain TA1535 and in the absence of rat S9: 1,2-epoxy-propane >> cis-2,3-epoxybutane > 1,2-epoxyisobutane > trans-2,3- epoxybutane. After exogenous metabolization, the mutagenic response of 1,2-epoxyisobutane was substantially reduced, while a moderate decrease of cis-2,3-epoxybutane was observed in the presence of S9, as compared with the response without S9. No influence of the S9 on the mutagenic response of trans-2,3-epoxybutane was noticed in both strains TA1535 and TA100, while an increased response with 1,2-epoxypropane was observed in TA100 but not in TA1535. The results suggest that the vaporization assay may provide more relevant information concerning mutagenic potencies of gaseous or volatile compounds than the common treat-and-plate or preincubation assays. Moreover, it appears that mutagenicity theories, based only upon inductive effects of side groups, may not suffice to explain differences in mutagenicity. Sterical factors or differential interactions with metabolizing enzymes could also be important in the evaluation of mutagenic effects.

Automated detection of cytochalasin-B blocked binucleated lymphocytes for scoring micronuclei.

A comparison between manual and computer-based automatic scoring of micronuclei (MN) was performed in order to optimize the preparation technique and to validate the image analysis procedure. For this purpose whole human blood of three donors was either irradiated (1 Gy X-rays) or treated with the chemical mutagen methyl methane sulphonate (25 mg/ml) and cultivated in the presence of cytochalasin B to obtain binucleated cells with a high yield of MN. An algorithm for MN detection has been developed for Giemsa (G)- and Feulgen-Congo-Red (FCR)-stained slides. This algorithm contains a sequence of grey operators and binary operators necessary to detect nuclei and MN, and to efficiently reject artefacts. The output is a data file with measurements of cells and intracellular inclusions. From these features, information can be extracted concerning the frequency of the various cell classes (based on nuclearity), the presence of MN and various shape parameters. A close analysis of the automatic scoring of G- and FCR-stained cells, revealed that 59-86% of all automatically classified binucleated cytokinesis-blocked (CB) cells were correctly classified. Although some MN were overlooked during automated scoring, the results show that, on average, similar MN frequencies are obtained with automated and manual scoring. The errors which occurred were mainly due to the misclassification of CB cells, the non-detection of extremely small MN and the aggregation of MN to the main nucleus. The possibility of scanning high numbers of cells overnight, to relocate CB cells with potential MN and the quantitative character of the results offers good prospects for future use in the in vitro MN test.

Occupational dermatitis in the aircraft industry: 35 years of progress.

A comparison of the occupational dermatitis occurring in the same aircraft factory during 2 separate decades, 1955-1965 and 1981-1990, is presented. Subungual pulpitis is highly specific to this industry, because of the handling of resins and sealing agents. The number of cases dropped from 122 to 40, in accordance with progress in preventive medicine and technological changes in the factory. Irritant contact dermatitis nevertheless remained appreciable, while allergic contact dermatitis greatly decreased.

Mutagenic activity of dichloroethylamino derivatives of nitronaphthofuran and some nitrobenzofurans in the Salmonella/microsome assay.

The mutagenic activity of five dichloroethylamino 2-nitrobenzofuran derivatives and one dichloroethylamino 2-nitronaphthofuran derivative was analysed in the Salmonella/microsome assay. We investigated the influence of the position of the dichloroethylamino and/or the methoxy groups on the mutagenic activity of these nitro arenofurans in S. typhimurium strain TA100 and its variant TA100NR, deficient in nitroreductase. Without metabolic activation 7-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-2-nitronaphtho[2,1-b]furan (1), 4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-7-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofuran (2), 7-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-4-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofuran (5) and 6-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-2-nitrobenzofuran (6) are mutagenic in TA100, while 4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]-5-methoxy-2-nitrobenzofuran (4) is weakly mutagenic and 5-[bis(2-chloroethyl)-amino]-2-nitrobenzofuran (3) toxic. In the NR deficient strain compounds 1, 3 and 6 are strong mutagens and 4 is weakly positive. The two isomers 2 and 5 are negative in that strain. The naphthofuran derivative 1 is highly mutagenic in the absence of S9 mix in both strains considered, but less than R7000 (7). A decrease in the electronic polarity of compound 1 versus compound 7 according to the hypothesis developed by Royer et al. is a possible explanation. After exogenous metabolic activation by S9 mix all the compounds tested are highly mutagenic in both Salmonella strains. The position of the dichloroethylamino group and/or the presence of a methoxyl on the alpha-nitroarenofuran derivatives seem to modify the activity of bacterial as well as exogenous nitroreductases or other activating enzymes.

Mutagenicity of 2-methylpropene (isobutene) and its epoxide in a modified Salmonella assay for volatile compounds.

The mutagenic properties of 2-methylpropene (MP) and 2-methyl-1,2- epoxypropane (MEP) were investigated in the Salmonella assay. A simple exposure system, consisting of gastight tissue culture flasks, was used. This method has the advantage that the volatile test chemical is present during the entire incubation period and that several concentrations of the investigated compound can be tested on a single day. MP is not mutagenic in strains TA100, TA102 and TA1535, and in the latter strain not even in the presence of metabolizing S9 mix. MEP is mutagenic in all the strains tested, as demonstrated by a clear dose-response relationship. Strain TA1535 seems to be most sensitive to MEP compared with the other bacterial strains studied. For this strain, the mutagenic activity of MEP decreased significantly in the presence of S9 mix, compatible with the epoxide being inactivated by epoxide hydrolase and by glutathione S-transferase, as reported previously. From the present study it can be concluded that the parent compound MP is not mutagenic, but that its primary metabolite MEP is a mutagenic substance. However, very high concentrations are necessary to induce a mutagenic effect and the epoxide is efficiently detoxified by different liver enzymes.

[Research on Kathon CG in cosmetic and personal hygiene products]. / Intérêt de la recherche du Kathon CG dans les produits cosmétiques et d'hygiène corporelle.

Kathon is an anti-microbial agent that is used as a preservative in cosmetics and bodily hygiene products. At the recommended levels of usage Kathon is innocuous and has a recognised efficacy. Nevertheless, following reappearance of contact allergic eczemas due to cosmetics and bodily hygiene products different authors have reported increase in sensitisation to it. We have met the same problems in the Service de Dermatology++ of the Hospital Sainte Marguerite at Marseille and we wished to make a deeper examination of the question and to ascertain whether the current cosmetics contained Kathon CG. For this we have developed a technique of liquid chromatography and tested 44 creams. Eight contained Kathon CG, of which 2 were responsible for contact eczema in patients.

Cell population kinetics and ploidy rate of early focal lesions during hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat.

We have studied the changes in cell population kinetics and DNA-content of cycling parenchymal cells during the very early steps of rat hepatocarcinogenesis in Faber's protocol. Adult rats were initiated by a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DENA, 200 mg kg-1), followed 2 weeks later by a 2-week diet of 0.03% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) as selection phase. In the middle of selection time, a single necrogenic dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 2 ml kg-1) was administered by gavage. Twenty four hours thereafter, radiolabelled thymidine (3H-TdR, 1.5 microCi g-1) was given by repeated injections during 24 h. An emergence of small, pyroninophilic ('tigroid') foci was observed at the second, fifth and eighth days after the proliferative stimulus. The focal putative precancerous cells presented a significant higher labelling index (L1) than the non-affected parenchymal cells for all exposure times. However, the labelling intensity decreased from the second to the eighth day after CCl4, suggesting a dilution of the radiolabelled DNA by repeated divisions within the foci. The nuclei of the same foci were analysed for DNA-content by feulgen microdensitometry on neighbouring sections. A gradual reduction of nuclear DNA-content was observed in 66% of the foci at the fifth day and in 100% of foci at the eight day, as compared to surrounding tissue and untreated animals, where labelling and DNA-content remain in the same ratio.

The influence of phenobarbital and butylated hydroxytoluene on the ploidy rate in rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

The effect of the 'promoters' phenobarbital (PB) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the ploidy changes during hepatocarcinogenesis in rats was compared in a densitometric analysis of Feulgen-stained nuclei on paraffin-embedded tissue slices. The triphasic Gerlans protocol for liver-cancer induction was applied. Initiation with a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), and selection with 2-acetylamino-fluorene (2-AAF) combined with a proliferative stimulus (CCl4 administration), was followed by a treatment with PB or BHT for periods up to 22 weeks. Control animals received no treatment after the initiation and selection procedure. Despite intra- and inter-individual variations, an increase in the amount of 2N nuclei is found in the putative preneoplastic lesions of animals that received initiation and selection (I-S) and 3 weeks basal diet (BD). When the diet is supplemented with PB (after I-S), the increase of diploid nuclei starts earlier. At the time carcinoma arise (22 weeks PB treatment) a decrease in the frequency of 2N nuclei is found. BHT-treated animals which develop no carcinoma within the considered timespan, show a clear increased amount of 2N nuclei in the precancerous lesions only after 14 weeks treatment. It seems that there is a positive correlation between the outgrowth of putative preneoplastic foci and nodules in rat liver and an increase of diploid nuclei in these lesions. PB, as promoter used after initiation and selection, speeds up the development of carcinoma in rat liver, and therefore also the shift to diploidization in these rats starts earlier in comparison with I-S-treated rats. Although BHT does not promote liver carcinogenesis, an increase of diploid nuclei is also observed here during lesion formation. It may, therefore, be concluded that the phenomenon of diploidization is closely linked to and probably necessary for preneoplastic development, but that it is not an absolute indicator for neoplastic transformation.

Sensitization to aluminium by aluminium-precipitated dust and pollen extracts.

We report 2 cases of aluminium sensitivity in adults. Each time, the means of sensitization was the inoculation of aluminium-precipitated pollen or dust extracts for hyposensitization. We conclude that aluminium allergy is not exceptional and that in these cases one can observe allergic reactions to the Finn Chamber tests.

Changes in nucleolar transcriptional activity and nuclear DNA content during the first steps of rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

Two complementary genetic parameters were followed in liver parenchymal cells during the first steps of rat hepatocarcinogenesis: the expression of nucleolar genes estimated from their silver stainability and the nuclear DNA content determined after Feulgen staining. Putative preneoplastic lesions as foci and nodules were induced by the triphasic 'Gerlans protocol'. Initiation with a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) was followed by a selection of initiated cells with 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) in combination with a single necrogenic dose of CCl4 as a proliferative stimulus. Finally after 1 week of normal diet, the animals were treated or not with phenobarbital (PB) for periods up to 2 months. Serial sections were analysed after silver staining (AgNO3), methyl-green--pyronin staining (Unna-Brachet) and Feulgen staining with densitometric and morphometric methods. Silver staining, which is known to stain an acidic protein associated with rRNA synthesis, increased gradually with the duration of the PB treatment. Morphometry revealed an increase in both nucleolar and nuclear volume; the fraction of nuclei with one nucleolus also increased. These results seem to point towards an increase of nucleolar activity in the early steps of PB promotion. Moreover, this shift cannot be ascribed to an increase of DNA content. Indeed, a parallel study on neighbouring sections stained with Feulgen revealed a shift towards a population of diploid nuclei, in contrast to normal liver cells, which are mostly tetraploid. The observed diploidisation may therefore provide a functional advantage for the expansion of putative preneoplastic cells.