Study of the genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of the α-, β-, and γ- Hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in human lymphocyte cells using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay

Abstract

The genotoxic potential of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (α-, β-, and γ-) which are organochlorine pesticides was tested in peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures from two donors by using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay. Micronucleus (MN) frequency, binucleated cells with micronucleus (BNMN), and cytokinesis-blocked proliferation index (CBPI) were determined as genotoxic and cytotoxic endpoints. At the concentration ranges tested (12.5–100 μg.L ⁻¹), all HCH isomers induced dose-dependent cytotoxic effects, γ-HCH being the most toxic. This isomer was also able to induce significant increase in MN frequency and BNMN cells indicating a genotoxic potential at 50 and 100 μg.L ⁻¹. The genotoxic test of β-HCH showed a positive induction of MN and BNMN cells at the highest concentration of 100 μg.L ⁻¹ and a significant cytotoxicity at 50 μg.L ⁻¹. Under the experimental condition used, α-HCH was unable to induce any significant increase in MN frequency confirming that α-HCH is a non-genotoxic agent.

• HCH isomers
• micronucleus test
• human lymphocytes
• genotoxicity
• cytotoxicity

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all blood donors for their cooperation during the study. They also want to acknowledge the Editors and the anonymous referees for valuable comments and suggestions that greatly improved the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors report that they have no conflicts of interest.