Genotoxic effects of 4-methylimidazole on human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro

Abstract

4-Methylimidazole (4-MEI), a heterocyclic organic chemical compound, is widely found in many foods and consumed by people worldwide. In this research, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of 4-MEI on human lymphocytes. For this purpose, human peripheral blood lymphocytes were treated with four concentrations of 4-MEI (300, 450, 600 and 750 μg/ml) for 24 h and 48 h periods and in vitro sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosome aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) tests were used. 4-MEI induced SCE in human peripheral lymphocytes at three highest concentrations (450, 600 and 750 μg/ml) in 48 h treatment period. CA and MN were induced in human peripheral lymphocytes at two highest concentrations of 4-MEI (600 and 750 μg/ml) in 24 h and 48 h treatment periods. The highest concentration of 4-MEI (750 μg/ml) induced MN formation more than the positive control MMC in 24 h treatment period. In addition, 4-MEI led to a decrease in MI at the highest concentration (750 μg/ml) in 24 h treatment period and at all concentrations in 48 h treatment period. 4-MEI reduced PI at all concentrations in 24 h treatment period and at all concentrations (expect the lowest) for 48 h treatment period. 4-MEI reduced nuclear division index (NDI) at 24 and 48 h treatment periods, even at the highest two concentrations, decreased more than the positive control MMC. Our results showed that 4-MEI pose a genotoxic and cytotoxic effects for human peripheral lymphocytes.

• 4-Methylimidazole
• human lymphocyte
• genotoxicity
• cytotoxicity

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by Cukurova University Research Fund (FEF2013YL5).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

This study was funded by Cukurova University Research Fund (FEF2013YL5).