Testing genotoxicity with nasal mucosa

Status:

completed 12/1999

Aims:

Preventing the occupational desease "nose cancer, caused by wood dust" needs identification of carcinogenic or genotoxic components of the wood including chemicals used in treatment of wood. Genotoxic effects may be specific as to target cells; the test therefore has to be accomplished with nasal mucosa cells. The test procedure has to be optimized and standarized for further application.

Activities/Methods:

Determination of genotoxic effects of four compounds which are carcinogen in animals, by Alcaline Comet Assay with rat liver cells and epithel cells of the inner nose in-vitro and in-vivo.

Results:

The four compounds proved genotoxic effects on nasal mucusa and liver cells. Cells from the respiratory region were 2 to 6 times more sensitive than cells from the olfactory region. A single inhalation exposure shows positive in-vivo effects, underlining the sensitivity of the Comet assay.

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