Summary
The mutagenicity of several insecticides (Fosfotion (Malathion), Ditriphon-50 (Trichlorfon), Wofatox (Methyl-parathion), Phosdrin (Mevinphos), Bi 58 (Dimethoate), Basudin E (Diazinon), Nuvan (Dichlorvos)) containing organic phosphoric acid esters was studied in the lymphocyte cultures of patients suffering intoxication as a result of either attempting to commit suicide or exposure during work due to violation of safety measures or inexperience. From each patient—except those who died in the acute period—three blood samples were taken: immediately (3 to 6 days) after exposure and about 30 and 180 days after intoxication. The results of the chromosome studies were compared to the seriousness of the intoxication and to the individual insecticides. A temporary, but significant increase was found in the frequency of chromatid breaks and stable chromosome-type aberrations in acutely intoxicated persons. The results obtained strongly suggest that the organic phosphoric acid esters studied exert direct mutagenic effects on the chromosomes.
Zusammenfassung
Die phosphororganischen Insekticide: Fosfotion (Malathion), Ditriphon-50 (Trichlorfon), Wofatox (Methyl-parathion), Phosdrin (Mevinphos), Bi 58 (Dimethoate), Basudin E (Diazinon), Nuvan (Dichlorvos) wurden an Lymphocytenkulturen auf ihre mutagene Wirkung untersucht. Die Kulturen wurden von Personen gewonnen, die entweder mit diesen Verbindungen Suicid versucht oder infolge von Nichtbeachtung der Arbeitsschutzmaßnahmen eine Vergiftung erlitten hatten. Mit Ausnahme der in der akuten Periode verstorbenen Personen wurden jedem Patienten drei Blutproben entnommen, und zwar 3–6 Tage, etwa 30 und 180 Tage nach der Vergiftung. Die Ergebnisse der Chromosomenuntersuchungen wurden einesteils im Verhältnis zu der Schwere der Vergiftung geprüft, anderenteils für die einzelnen Insekticide bewertet. Bei Patienten mit akuter Vergiftung konnte eine vorübergehende, aber signifikante Zunahme in der Häufigkeit der Chromosomenbrüche und der stabilen Chromosomenaberrationstypen beobachtet werden. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse weisen darauf hin, daß die untersuchten phosphororganischen Insekticide mutagen wirken.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ashwood-Smith, M. J., Trevino, J., Ring, R.: Mutagenicity of dichlorvos. Nature (Lond.) 240, 418–420 (1972)
Barthelmess, A.: Mutagenic substances in the human environment. In: Chemical mutagenesis in mammals and man, Vogel, E., Röhrborn, G., Eds., pp. 69. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: 1970
Bridges, B. A., Mottersheat, R. P., Green, M. H. L., Gray, W. J. H.: Mutagenicity of dichlorvos and methyl methanosulphonate for E. coli WP2 and some derivatives deficient in DNA repair. Mutat. Res. 19, 295 (1973)
Buckton, K. E., Jacobs, P. A., Court Brown, W. M., Doll, R.: A study of the chromosome damage persisting after X-ray therapy for ankylosing spondylitis. Lancet 1962 II, 676–682
Buckton, K. E., Pike, M. C.: Time in culture. An important variable in studying in vivo radiation-induced chromosome damage in man. Int. J. Radiat. Biol. 8, 439–452 (1964)
Buckton, K. E., Evans, H. J.: Methods for the analysis of human chromosome aberrations. WHO, Geneva, 1973
Chang, T. H., Klassen, W.: Comparative effects of tretamine, TEPA, apholate and their structural analogs on human chromosomes in vitro. Chromosome 24, 314–323 (1968)
Court Brown, W. M.: Human population cytogenetics. Amsterdam: North-Holland 1967
Czeizel, A., Trinh van Bao, Szabó, I., Ruzicska, P.: Human chromosome aberrations in acute organic phosphorous acid ester (pesticide) intoxication (Abstract). Mutat. Res. 21, 187–188 (1973)
Dean, B. J.: The mutagenic effects of organophosphorous pesticides on micro-organism. Arch. Toxicol. 30, 67–74 (1972)
Dikshith, T. S.: In vivo effects of parathion on guinea pig chromosomes. Environ. Physiol. Biochem. 161, 168 (1973)
Dubinin, N. P., Mitrofanov, Y. A., Manuilova, E. S.: Analysis of the thiotepa mutageic effect on human tissue culture cells. Izv. Akad. Nauk. SSSR. (Biol.) 4, 477–488 (1967)
Durham, W. F., Williams, C. H.: Mutagenic, teratogenic, carcinogenic 6022 properties of pesticides. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 17, 123–148 (1972)
Dyer, K. F., Hanna, P. J.: Comparative mutagenic acitivity and toxicity of triethylphosphate and dichlorvos in bacteria and Drosophila. Mutat. Res. 21, 175–177 (1973)
Epstein, S. S., Bass, W., Arnold, E., Bishop, Y.: The mutagenicity of trimethyl phosphate in mice. Science 168, 584–586 (1970)
Epstein, S. S., Legator, M. S.: The mutagenicity of pesticides. Cambridge (Mass.)-London 1971
Fishbein, L., Flam, W. G., Falk, H. L.: Chemical mutagens. New York: Academic Press 1970
Freese, E.: Molecular mechanism of mutations. In: Chemical mutagens. Principles and methods thods for their detection, Hollaender, A., Ed., Vol. I. New York-London: Plenum press 1971
Gabliks, J., Jurila, B. M., Friedman, L.: Responses of cell cultures to insecticides. IV. Relative toxicity of several organophosphates in mouse cell cultures. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.) 125, 1002–1005 (1967)
Hollaender, A. (Ed.): Chemical mutagens. Principles and methods for their protection, Vol. I–II. New York-London: Plenum press 1971
Huang, C. C.: Effect on growth but not on chromosomes of the mammalian cells after treated with tree organophosphorus insecticides. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.) 142, (1), 36–40 (1973)
Kilian, D. J., Benge, M., Edwards, H.: Human mutagenic testing of a new organic phosphate insecticide. EMS Newsl. 3, 39 (1970)
Lilly, L. J.: An investigation of possible chromosome damage in disulfiram-treated alcoholics (Abstract). Mutat. Res. 21, 193 (1973)
Löfroth, G., Kim, C. H., Hussain, S.: Alkylating property of 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate: A disregarded hazard. EMS Newsl. 2, 21–26 (1969)
Mohn, G.: Comparison of the mutagenic activity of eight organophosphorus insecticides in Escherichia coli. Mutat. Res. 21, 196 (1973)
Moorhead, P. S., Nowell, P. C., Mellman, W. J., Battips, D. M., Hungerford, D. A.: Chromosome preparations of leucocytes cultured from human peripheral blood. Exp. Cell Res. 20, 613–616 (1960)
Pilinskaya, M. A.: Chromosome aberrations in the persons contacted with Ziram. Genetika 6, 157–163 (1970)
Seiler, J. P.: A survey on the mutagenicity of various pesticides. Experientia (Basel) 29, 622–623 (1973)
Shaw, M. W.: Human chromosome damage by chemical agents. Ann. Rev. Med. 17, 409–432 (1970)
Ton that Tung, Trinh kim Anh, Bach quoc Tuyen, Dao xuan Tra, Nguyen xuan Huyen: Les effects cliniques de l'utilisation massive et continue de defoliants sur la population civile (Étude préliminaire). Études vietnamiennes 29, 57 (1971)
Trinh van Bao, Molnár, Gy., Czeizel, E.: Kromoszóma vizsgálatok atropin shockkal kezelt betegebken (Chromosome studies in patients treated by atropin shock). Orv. Hetil. (in press)
Trinh van Bao, Szabó, I.: Kromoszóma-károsodások heveny szerves foszforsav észter (pesticidek) mérgezésekben (Chromosome anomalies in acute organic phosphorous acid [pesticide] intoxication). Orv. Hetil. 113, 2593–2595 (1972)
Vogel, F., Röhrborn, G. (Eds.): Chemical mutagenesis in mammals and man. Berlin-Heidel-berg-New York: Springer 1970
Voogd, E. C., Jacobs, J. A., Vander Stel, J. J.: On the mutagenic action of dichlorvos. Mutat. Res. 16, 413 (1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Postdoctoral fellow under the Scientific Collaboration Program between the Hungarian Pepole's Republic and the People's Republic of Vietnam
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Trinh van Bao, Szabó, I., Ruzicska, P. et al. Chromosome aberrations in patients suffering acute organic phosphate insecticide intoxication. Hum Genet 24, 33–57 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00281108
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00281108