Evaluation of the genetic toxicity of synthetic chemical (XVII) - In vitro mouse lymphoma assay and in vitro supravital micronucleus assay with 1, 2-dichlorobenzene

Abstract

Chlorobenzenes due to their acute toxicity and the capability of bioaccumulating are of great health and environmental concern. Especially, 1, 2-dichlorobenzene (CAS No. 95-50-1) is used for organic synthesis, dye manufacture, as a solvent and for other applications in chemical industry. Adverse effects of 1, 2-dichlorobenzene includes increases in liver and kidney weights and hepatotoxicity. In this study, we evaluated the genetic toxicity of 1, 2-dichlorobenzene with more advanced methods, in vitro mouse lymphoma assay tk(+/-) gene assay (MLA) and in vitro mouse supravital micronucleus (MN) assay. 1, 2-Dichlorobenzene appeared the significantly positive results and the induction of large mutant colonies only in the presence of metabolic activation system with MLA. But in vitro testing of 1, 2-dichlorobenzene yielded negative results with supravital MN assay. These results suggest that 1, 2-dichlorobenzene may play a mutagen rather than clastogen in vitro mammalian system.