etters

Abstracts / Toxicology L

S44Frequencies of stable and unstable chromosomal aberrations inlymphocytes of workers employed in carbamate production

Davor Zeljezic ∗, Ana Lucic Vrdoljak, Aleksandra Fucic, MarinMladinic, Suzana Berend, Bozica Radic, Nevenka Kopjar

Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb,Croatia

Carbamates are efficient pesticides widely used in agriculture. Theiruse began in the 1950s, and presently approximately 25 carbamatecompounds are available on the market. Several epidemiologi-cal studies indicated possible correlation between occupationalexposure to carbamates and increased risk of malignancies (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lung and rectal cancer). Present studycomprised 20 workers employed in production of carbamates, and20 control subjects with no record of exposure to known geno-toxic agents. Examinees are matched with control subjects byage (44.5 ± 10.22 vs. 43.9 ± 6.29, respectively), sex (9 females; 11males), and smoking (9 smokers; 11 non-smokers). To determinetranslocation yield we used whole-chromosome paint probes forchromosomes 1, 2 and 4, and compared it with the results ofthe standard chromosomal aberration analysis. For each subjectnot less than 1000 metaphases were analysed. Translocation fre-quencies were calculated according to Lucas et al. (1992). Amongworkers significant increase in chromatid breaks (4.70 ± 1.95) com-pared to the control (2.10 ± 0.91) was found while other types ofunstable aberrations did not differ significantly. Genomic frequencyof translocations per cell was significantly elevated (exposed0.0110 ± 0.0052; control 0.0054 ± 0.0026). Distribution of translo-cations among chromosomes 1, 2 and 4 did not differ from the onedetected in control subjects and matched DNA fraction for selectedchromosomes.

Since the translocation yield showed good correlation withyears spent in carbamate production (R = 0.53; p = 0.028) we mayconclude that exposure to this group of pesticide could pose a riskto genome integrity.

doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.06.298

S45Effect of some plant growth regulators—Derivatives of N-oxide-pyridine on protein-synthesis processes and mitochondrialmembrane of hepatocytes at subchronic ingestion to rats

Mykola Prodanchuk, Olesya Zhminko ∗, Peter Zhminko

Medved’s Institute of Ecohygiene and Toxicology, Kyiv, Ukraine

The subchronic toxicity of some plant growth regulators(PGR)—derivatives of N-oxide pyridine on Wistar female rats wasstudied. Ivin (N-oxide-2,6-dimethylpyridine) was studied in doses13, 1.3, 0.13, 0.013 mg/kg, Triman (aqua(N-oxide-2-methylpyridine)Mn(II)Cl2) and Tetran (Di(N-oxide-2-methylpyridine)Zn(II)Cl2)were studied in doses 30, 3, 0.3, 0.03 mg/kg during 90 days.

It is founded that Triman and Ivin have the most expressedmembrane-acting effect shown in reliable decrease of lipidperoxidation intensity, increase of the spontaneous mitochon-drial swelling, oppressing or induction of membrane-boundenzymes—succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome-oxidase.Tetran shows weak membrano-acting activity at high level ofdoses only.

Triman and Ivin intensified both protein-synthesis and protein-breakdown processes in different period of testing: increase ofprotein and RNA content in liver, RNA/DNA ratio and contentof protein-breakdown products—urea and creatinine. Insignificant

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destabilization of synthesis processes in rat organism had transientcharacter. Tetran did not effect on protein-synthesis processes in ratorganism.

The dose–response and time curves of lipid peroxidation inten-sity, RNA content, protein-breakdown product have mono- orbimodal character.

It is founded that the studied PGR did not demonstrate thedependence “dose-time-effect” and effect had differently directedcharacteristics at subchronic ingestion to the rats. The distinctivefeature of studied PGR is that membranotoxicity and changes ofprotein-synthesis processes show up to a greater extent on lowdose level.

doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.06.299

P13 Environmental Toxicology

E001Inula crithmoides extract protect against ochratoxin A-inducedoxidative stress and cytotoxicity alteration in male rats

Mosaad Abdel-Wahhab ∗, Sekena Abdel-Azim, Aziza El Nekeety

National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin often found in cereals andagricultural products. There is unequivocal evidence of renal car-cinogenicity of OTA in male rats, although the mechanism ofaction is unknown. Several reports suggested that exposure to OTAresulted in oxidative stress, genotoxicity and DNA damage. There-fore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the protectiveeffects of aqueous extract of Inula crithmoides growing in Egyptagainst OTA-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Forty maleSprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups and treatedfor 15 days as follow: control group and the groups treated withOTA (3 mg/kg b.w), I. crithmoides extract alone (370 mg/kg b.w)and OTA plus I. crithmoides extract. Blood and tissue sampleswere collected for different biochemical analysis. Bone marrowmicronucleus test and random amplified polymorphism DNA-PCR(RAPD-PCR) method were performed to assess the antigenotoxiceffect of the extract. The results indicated that OTA induced toxico-logical effects typical to those reported in the literature and increasethe frequencies of MnPCEs in bone marrow. The RAPD-PCR analysisrevealed the appearance of new bands in DNA resulted from geneticalteration. The extract alone was safe and succeeded to counteract

the oxidative stress and protect against the cytotoxicity resultedfrom OTA.

doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.06.153

E002The Swedish environmental information and classificationscheme for pharmaceuticals—An empirical investigation of themotivations, intentions and expectations underlying its devel-opment and implementation

Marlene Ågerstrand ∗, Christina Rudén, Misse Wester

Division of Philosophy, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm,Sweden

The Swedish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry has in col-laboration with the Swedish Medical Products Agency and severalother Swedish stakeholders launched a unique voluntary environ-mental classification scheme for pharmaceuticals. The system ispublicly available on the Internet (www.fass.se). The system uti-lizes data delivered by the respective pharmaceutical producers to

etters

composition in PM10. The investigation was performed in down-town Rome during a 15-day intensive campaign. The filters wereirradiated at the nuclear reactor Triga Mark II, ENEA-Casaccia: a firstgamma measurements were determined La, Sm and W whereas asecond series was performed for determining Ce, Cs, Eu, Hf, Nd, Rb,

S178 Abstracts / Toxicology L

yield a risk assessment and a classification of the ecotoxicity oftheir products. The data from this classification have the potentialto be a very influential source of knowledge for assessment of phar-maceutical effects in the environment. This study is the first partof an ongoing project that will evaluate the scientific basis, actualworkings, and efficiency towards reducing environmental risk ofthis classification scheme. The overall purpose of the first part isto generate knowledge about how incentives are created for vol-untary risk management systems. Therefore, a questionnaire hasbeen sent to all the key actors within organizations and participat-ing industries involved in the development of the system (n = 29)and answers have been received from a majority of these actors(n = 21).

The results shows that a combination of several factors, such as agovernmental report, a local initiative in the health care sector, thegeneral environmental debate and reports in the media, acted as adriving force for this initiative. The general attitude towards the sys-tem is positive even though the expected results from the system,such as changes in prescription patterns or reduced environmentalrisks, are thought to be limited.

doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.06.154

E003Combine effect of mercury accumulation and acidification onlysosomal DNase activity in Perca fluviatilis

Violetta Amelina ∗, Rimma Vysotskaya

Institute of Biology KarRS RAS, Petrozavodsk, Karelia, RussianFederation

To study modification of biological effects of Hg on fish in conditionsof water acidification and humification, activity and multiple formsof acid deoxyribonuclease (EC 3.1.4.6) were analyzed in tissues ofperch from nine lakes in Karelia (Russia, North-West region) withdifferent pH and humic acids rate. Average Hg content in testedfishes ranged from 0.12 to 0.53 mg/kg wet weight. Data obtainedshowed that Hg accumulation mostly caused decreasing of acidDNase activity and disappearance of some isoforms on zymograms.Furthermore inhibition of studied nucleolytic enzyme in fish liverand gills was determined by different factors. Thus in liver extent ofDNase activity inhibition depended upon Hg concentration, but ingills reduction of enzymatic activity was strongly correlated withacidity of water in lake that the fish inhabits. Perch males are more

sensitive to Hg exposure: value of DNase inhibition in male’s liverwas two-fold greater than in females in the same conditions.

doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.06.155

E004Toxicity of binary mixtures of heavy metals against the freshwa-ter algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Ruth Angerville 1,∗, Evens Emmanuel 2, Yves Perrodin 1

1 ENTPE, Lyon, Vaulx-En-Velin, France, 2 Université Quisqueya,Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Keywords: Heavy metals; Joint-action toxicity; Pseudokirchneriellasubcapitata; Mixture toxicity index

Heavy metals such as Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn are known to be toxic foraquatic organisms. Few studies have dealt with the combined toxic-ity of metallic compounds against algae. In this study, the toxicity ofbinary mixtures of Pb:Cd, Pb:Cu and Pb:Zn was evaluated using thealgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata as test organism. The chronic

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bioassay of the growth inhibition of this freshwater alga was car-ried out for each binary mixture prepared in predefined ratios of 4:1,3:2, 1:1, 2:3, and 1:4 (wt/wt). Joint-action evaluations were studiedusing the mixture toxicity index (MTI). Moderate interactions wereobserved for each binary mixtures tested. For the binary mixturesPb:Zn, the interactions between these metallic compounds revealthat Pb significantly increases the toxic effect of Zn when testedjointly against P. subcapitata. The interactions between the con-stituent metals in the various test proportions of the mixture Pb:Cuwere in conformity with the model of antagonism, except for theratio 4:1. For the binary mixtures Pb:Cd various interactive effects(synergistic, antagonistic or additive) were observed, depending onconcentration ratios. These results underline that joint-action tox-icity evaluations have to be taken into account to ecological riskassessment and also when setting up environmental safe limits ofpollutants.

doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.06.156

E005Rare earth elements in atmospheric PM10: Analytical and toxi-cological implications

Carla Fanizza 1,∗, Geraldo Capannesi 2, Maurizio Manigrasso 1,Alberto Rosada 2, Pasquale Avino 1

1 DIPIA-ISPESL, Rome, Italy, 2 ENEA, Rome, Italy

The particulate matter pollutant is considered one of the most diffi-cult tasks in environmental chemistry for its complex composition.During these last years a particular interest is assuming the deter-mination of rare earth elements (REEs), e.g. Ce, Eu and Yb, beingused in different industrial applications such as optical fibers andelectronics. Their sanitary role in atmosphere does not totally clearbecause of analytical limitations for determining them. In any case,Ce and the other REEs are considered moderately toxic: recent stud-ies suggest that REEs may bind specifically to endothelial sites inthe brain and be relevant to the physiological functions of brains.

In this study we have applied a nuclear technique, i.e. Instru-mental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), for studying REE

Sc, Th, Yb. In table are reported the REE levels (ng/m3; *pg/m3).

Element Average Min–Max

Ce 0.754 0.109–1.54Cs 0.138 0.010–0.162Eu* 14.2 3.69–22.6Hf* 73.2 17.1–154La* 186 18.5–184Nd 0.212 0.121–0.415Rb 2.94 0.71–84Sc* 51.2 7.3–108Sm* 48.6 5.7–120Th* 241 21.4–385W 1.04 0.21–3.83Yb* 18.2 6.3–28.4

doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.06.157