The epigenetic toxicity of pyrene and related ozonation byproducts containing an aldehyde functional group

Gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) was used to assess the epig enetic toxicity of pyrene, pure byproducts of pyrene ozonation, and other c ompounds similar in chemical structure. Byproduct mixtures collected from H PLC were also evaluated using GJIC. Of the 11 pure compounds studied, five inhibited GJIC completely. Two inhibiting compounds contained four rings an d were the only compounds studied with greater than three rings. The remain ing three compounds contained either two or three rings, and all three cont ained an aldehyde group. Toxicological evaluation and GC/MS of impure bypro duct mixtures showed that two common compounds were found in inhibiting fra ctions. These common compounds contained both a bay region and at least one aldehyde group.