DETECTION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON EXPOSURE DAMAGE USING DIFFERENT METHODS IN LABORATORY-ANIMALS

Benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[b]fluoroanthene and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene disso lved in a 1:2 mixture of dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) and water were admi nistered to two groups of female mice, each group containing 15 mice. The doses were administered orally (via gavage) at the respective rate s of 1 and 100 mu g kg(-1) body weight five times per week for a perio d of 9 weeks. The influence of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (P AHs) was determined using the following methods: determination of DNA- PAH adducts, of chromosome injuries (micronucleus test), of induction of repair using the unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) test, and by exami nation of the DNA structure after nucleoid sedimentation. All the meth ods investigated provided evidence of a significant effect resulting f rom exposure to PAHs on the parameters examined. Following chronic exp osure to PAHs, the formation of DNA-PAH adducts and injury to the gene tic material, as well as the appearance of micronuclei (micronucleus t est), the induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS test) and mutati on of the DNA structure (nucleoid sedimentation), were demonstrated. T he described methods therefore provide a means for the detection of ge netic damage caused by PAH exposure in humans.