Mutagenic Potential of Benzo(A)Pyrene and N-Nitrosodiethylamine is not Affected by 50-Hz Sinusoidal Electromagnetic Field

Abstract

N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), known environmental carcinogens, were administered i.p. to mice at doses of 10, 20, 40, 80, and 200 mgkg body weight and 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg, respectively. Peripheral blood samples were taken at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. Similarly, after i.p. administration of a single dose of 200 mg and 80 mg/kg body weight of NDEA and BaP, respectively, animals were exposed to a 50-Hz electromagnetic field (EMF) of 2 and 10 milliTesla (mT). Another group of animals (controls) were exposed to EMF without any carcinogen. Dose- and time-dependent increase in micronucleated peripheral reticulo-cytes (MNRETs) were observed in the case of BaP, whereas NDEA elicited induction of micronuclei (MN) at relatively high doses. EMF did not alter the induction of micronuclei in the carcinogen-treated groups, and there was no MN induction in the controls.

Key Words:

• Electromagnetic field
• Mutation
• Micronucleus test
• N-Nitrosodiethylamine
• Benzo(a)pyrene