IN-VITRO ASSESSMENT OF ASBESTOS FIBERS GENOTOXICITY

This study was carried out in order to assess the genotoxic effect of in vitro exposure to commerical chrysotile asbestos. V 79 cell line, k nown as a well-established cellular model, was used for detection of a sbestos genotoxic potency. Conventional structural chromosomal aberrat ion analysis and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) method were both used for asbestos genotoxicity assessment. Within the experimental protoco l applied, V 79 cells were treated with asbestos in concentrations of 100 and 200 mu g/ml F-10 (HAM) media during 90 days, respectively. Ana lysis of changes in chromosome structure as well as of cell ploidity w as performed each tenth day of the experimental course, consecutively. Two hundred well spread metaphases were taken into account for chromo somal aberration analysis. Frequency of sister chromatide exchanges wa s observed in 50 cells per sample. The results of cytogenetic tests re vealed structural chromosomal damages, SCE-elevation and changes in ce ll ploidity. Cytogenetic effect of asbestos obviously depended on the dose applied and on the period of incubation. The results of this stud y suggest that significant cytogenetic changes occurring after asbesto s treatment might directly or indirectly be the part of the biological events responsible for eliciting asbestos-induced carcinogenesis.