Concurrent induction of micronuclei and gene mutations in rat lung fibroblasts in vivo following inhalation of radon and radon progeny

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis

OSTI ID:88885

Khan, M A; Jostes, R F; Cross, F T; Brooks, A L ^[1]

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1. Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, WA (United States)

Inhaled radon induces genotoxicity and cancer in lung cells. To determine the amount and type of genotoxic damage induced in the lung, male Wistar rates were exposed to 323 working level months (WLM) of radon and radon progeny. Primarily lung fibroblasts obtained 4 h after the end of the exposure were analyzed for (1) chromosomal damage using the micronucleus/cytochalasin B technique and (2) gene mutation using a thioguanine selection procedure. The frequency of micronuclei was determined by scoring 2000 binucleated cells for each of 2 individuals in control and 5 individuals in exposed groups. The mean frequency of micronuclei was 31/1000 binucleated cells in controls and 187/1000 binucleated cells in exposed group of animals. The frequency of gene mutations was determined by plating 10{sup 5} cells in each of 45 dishes (4.5 x 10{sup 6} cells) from controls and 40 dishes (4.0 x 10{sup 6} cells) from exposed animals, in a mixture of culture medium and 6-thioguanine. The number of mutant cell colonies was recorded after 14 days. The control and the exposed cell populations showed 4 and 34 surviving cells was 5 for controls and 83 for the exposed cell population. Thus there was a 6-fold increase in the frequency of micronuclei and an 18-fold increase in the frequency of gene mutations relative to controls. The results demonstrate that 2 major endpoints being implicated in carcinogenesis namely, gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations induced by inhaled radon can be detected and quantified concurrently in mammalian lung cells in vivo.

• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 88885
• Report Number(s): CONF-9405324--
• Journal Information: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, Journal Name: Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis Journal Issue: Suppl.23 Vol. 23; ISSN EMMUEG; ISSN 0893-6692
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
FIBROBLASTS
GENE MUTATIONS
INHALATION
LUNGS
RADON
RATS