APPLICATION OF THE KINETIC OF RNA-SYNTHESIS ON HEP 3B CELLS - STUDY OF THE MEDIUM-TERM CYTOTOXICITY OF ATRAZINE

The test based on measuring the RNA synthesis rate, already described on Hela S3 in culture (Fauris et al., Les colloques de l'INSERM 106 (1 981) 455-463), has been adapted to a human hepatoma cell line Hep 3B w hich retains a certain capacity towards metabolising. These modificati ons make it easier to point to the presence of possible water micropol lutions and to envisage the study of the medium-term toxicity of such pollutants to be found in traces in water, with adequate sensitivity i f we take into account their low concentration level. This trial has b een carried out to compare the cytotoxicity of atrazine, over short- a nd medium-term periods: prolonged exposure to atrazine (1 or 10 mu g/l ) leads to an increase in the RNA synthesis rate (not to be detected a fter 24 h of exposure). Pre-exposure to 1 or 10 mu g/l pesticide (over 6 days) would cause results to increase considerably during any futur e intoxication (250 mu g/l).