Induction of Nuclear Aberration in Tracheal Epithelial Cells in Mouse Following in vivo Exposure to Mutagenic Mists

Abstract

The induction of nuclear anomalies including pyknosis, karyorrhexis and micronuclei in tracheal epithelium of mice exposed to aerosol mists of the following 3 genotoxic chemicals was investigated: mitomycin C (MMC), ethylcarbamate (EC) and colchicine (COL). Exposure of mice to these mutagenic mists significantly increased in the number of nuclear aberrated cells in tracheal epithelium dose-dependently. The sensitivity of this assay was tested by comparing with results of the micronucleus test in bone marrow cells. It was found that the sensitivity was almost similar in both assays. These results suggest that the nuclear aberration test in mouse tracheal epithelial cells will be useful as a screen for cytogenetic chemicals in air environment.