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Detection of the carcinogenic nitrofuran derivative VR-6 as a mutagen in the Salmonella/microsome test

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Abstract

The carcinogenic nitrofuran, VR-6, was evaluated for mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 using the plate assay (Ames test). The dose-response curve indicated that S. typhimurium TA 100 is a very sensitive genetic indicator for this chemical class and that basepair substitution appears to be the molecular mechanism with VR-6. The results reported here provide evidence, that VR-6 is a directly acting mutagen for S. typhimurium TA 100 and that the chemical is partially deactivated in the presence of rat liver homogenates. Comparison of the results obtained with this agent in the Ames test with data from a subacute animal study, showed a good agreement in predicting the carcinogenic risk.

Zusammenfassung

Die karzinogene Nitrofuranverbindung VR-6 wurde im Ames-Test auf ihre mutagene Wirkung an Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 untersucht. Die Dosis-Wirkungsbeziehung zeigte, daß S. typhimurium TA 100 ein sehr empfindlicher genetischer Indikator für diese Substanzklasse ist und machte deutlich, daß VR-6 Basenpaarsubstitutionen induziert. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse weisen VR-6 als direktes Mutagen für S. typhimurium TA 100 aus. Unter Einbeziehung von Rattenleberhomogenaten wird die Substanz teilweise detoxifiziert. Ein Vergleich der Ergebnisse des Ames-Testes mit denen eines subakuten Tierversuches ergab für diese Verbindung eine gute Übereinstimmung was die Vorhersage eines karzinogenen Risikos anbetrifft.

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Baumeister, M., Lützen, L. Detection of the carcinogenic nitrofuran derivative VR-6 as a mutagen in the Salmonella/microsome test. Arch Toxicol 42, 259–264 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334839

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00334839

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