Toxicologic Responses to a Complex Coal Conversion by-Product: Mammalian Cell Mutagenicity and Dermal Carcinogenicity

摘要

In the present study, we measured mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in hamster and human cells in vitro and tumorigenicity in mouse skin in vivo. The Chinese hamster ovary cell/hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (CHO/HGPRT) assay has proven useful in estimating the mutagenic activity of pure compounds but has been used only to a limited extent with complex mixtures. The human teratocarcinoma cell line, designated P sub 3 , used in these studies has recently been adapted for use in mutagenesis assays of individual compounds but has not previously been used to evaluate mutagenesis by complex mixtures. In this report, we compare the responses of the hamster and human cell lines and the mouse skin to chemical class fractions of a complex organic by-product condensate (tar) of coal gasification. The composition of this complex tar is chemically similar to that of petroleum-derived tars and products of fossil fuel combustion. By testing basic, acidic, and neutral chemical class fractions of the complex tar, we demonstrated that the predominant genotoxic components were present in the neutral fraction as measured both in the CHO/HGPRT and dermal carcinogenicity assays. The human P sub 3 cells were less sensitive for mutagenesis and cytotoxicity than were the rodent cells. Furthermore, fractionation and bioassay provided evidence for interactive effects that indicate the importance of combining chemical characterization and toxicologic evaluation of complex mixtures. 25 references, 1 figure, 2 tables. (ERA citation 09:032643)