Distribution of DNA and RNA content in the bone marrow and alveolar macrophages of rats after subchronic inhalation of formaldehyde

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Environ. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0013-9351(87)80071-3· OSTI ID:5926996

Dallas, C E; Mellard, D N; Theiss, J C; Pentecost, A R; Fairchild, II, E J

The technique of flow cytometry was used to monitor the cell-cycle distribution of DNA and RNA in selected tissues of rats that were subchronically exposed to formaldehyde (HCHO) inhalation. Male Sprague Dawley rats inhaled HCHO vapor concentrations of 0, 0.5, 3, or 15 ppm for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week, for up to 24 weeks. Simultaneous two-parameter measurements were made on a Phywe ICP 22 pulse cytophotometer by use of an acridine orange stain of the DNA and RNA of each cell sampled. No significant changes relative to the controls were determined in the percentage S and G/sub 2/ + M phases of the DNA from simple tissues of the HCHO-exposed animals. Increases of 50 to 60% in the RNA content of G/sub 1/ cells (RI) in the alveolar macrophages were seen after 1 week of exposure at all three HCHO doses. This effect was diminished after subchronic exposure. No HCHO-related effect was observed, though, in the RI of the rat bone marrow cells at any time point. However, the observed changes in RNA content were of rather limited magnitude relative to the cell-cycle perturbation induced by known cytotoxic agents in this and other flow cytometry studies. These modest and transient RI increases therefore probably did not reflect any significant effect on cell viability or cell proliferation in the affected tissues.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Georgia, Athens
• OSTI ID: 5926996
• Journal Information: Environ. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Res.; (United States) Vol. 43:1; ISSN ENVRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALDEHYDES
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
BONE MARROW CELLS
CELL CYCLE
CELL FLOW SYSTEMS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DISTRIBUTION
DNA
FORMALDEHYDE
INHALATION
INTAKE
MACROPHAGES
MAMMALS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHAGOCYTES
RATS
RNA
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
SUBCELLULAR DISTRIBUTION
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES