Genotoxic effect of the insecticides pentachlorphenol and lindane on humannasal mucosal epithelium

Background and Objective: In numerous experimental and epidemiologic studie s Pentachlorphenol (PCP) and Hexachlorcyclohexan (Lindane) have been shown to be of potential carcinogenic risk for human epithelial cells. In the pas t, these two substances have been used for both, military and non-military purposes, e.g. for impregnation of textiles and uniforms. In this study we investigated the genotoxic effect of PCP and Lindane on human mucosal tissu e from the middle and lower nasal turbinate. Methods: In biopsy samples obtained from nasal epithelia during surgery cel l vitality was evaluated by trypan-blue-staining. The specimens were incuba ted for 60 minutes with PCP (0.3; 0.75 und 1.2 mu mol/l) and Lindane (0.5; 0.75; and 1.0 mu mol/ml). The induction of DNA-damage (single-strand-breaks and double-strand-breaks) caused by PCP and Lindane was measured using sin gle-cell microgel electrophoresis. Evaluation was performed by fluorescence microscopy. Results: Especially in mucosa cells from the middle turbinate severe DNA-da mages were recognized after exposition to PCP and Lindane proposing a stron g genotoxic effect. in cells from the lower turbinate DNA-changes caused by PCP and Lindane were significantly lower. However a considerable genotoxic effect was also present. Conclusion: This study shows for the first time that there are clear facts indicating mutagenic effects of PCP and Lindane on nasal epithelia. Further more, this is the first study showing different susceptibility of two anato mic subsites in the nose for different pesticides. Concerning the biologica l plausibility, this study offers important arguments for evaluating the ro le of PCP and Lindane in the induction of upper aerodigestive tract cancer.