Genetic Toxicology

Mutagenic effects of gold nanoparticles induce aberrant phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster

by Giuseppe Vecchio

G. Vecchio, A. Galeone, V. Brunetti, G. Maiorano, L. Rizzello, S. Sabella, R. Cingolani, and P.P. Pompa

Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine (2011)
doi:10.1016/j.nano.2011.11.001

The peculiar physical/chemical characteristics of engineered nanomaterials have led to a rapid increase of... more The peculiar physical/chemical characteristics of engineered nanomaterials have led to a rapid increase of nanotechnology-based applications in many fields. However, before exploiting their huge and wide potential, it is necessary to assess their effects upon interaction with living systems. In this context, the screening of nanomaterials to evaluate their possible toxicity, and understand the underlying mechanisms, currently represents a crucial opportunity to prevent severe harmful effects in the next future. In this work we show the in vivo toxicity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in Drosophila melanogaster, highlighting significant genotoxic effects and, thus, revealing an unsettling aspect of the long term outcome of the exposure to this nanomaterial. After the treatment with AuNPs, we observed dramatic phenotypic modifications in the subsequent generations of Drosophila, demonstrating their capability to induce mutagenic effects that may be transmitted to the descendants. Noteworthy, we were able to obtain the first nanomaterial-mutated organism, named NM-mut. While these results sound alarming, they underline the importance of systematic and reliable toxicology characterizations of nanomaterials and the necessity of significant efforts by the nanoscience community in designing and testing suitable nanoscale surface engineering/coating to develop biocompatible nanomaterials with no hazardous effects for human health and environment.

Cell Damage in a Pediatric Population Potentially Exposed to Pesticides

by Virginia Fernandez Peralta

Benitez-Leite S, Macchi M, Fernandez V, Franco de Diana D, Ferro E, Mojoli A, et al. Cell Damage in a Pediatric Population Potentially Exposed to Pesticides. Pediatria. 2010;37(2):97-106.

Pesticides can cause acute or chronic effects on human health. Many pesticides can cause damage to genetic material.... more Pesticides can cause acute or chronic effects on human health. Many pesticides can cause damage to genetic material. These changes in genetic information have been associated with an increased risk of cancer. The objective of this study is to investigate damage to genetic material in a population of children potentially exposed to pesticides in the environment. The study design was observational and cross sectional. We studied 48 children potentially exposed to pesticides and 46 unexposed children. Samples of the oral mucosa were obtained to determine damage to genetic material using micronucleus frequency (MN).Higher average micronucleus counts were found in the group potentially exposed to pesticides (5.1±2.9 vs. 1.8±2.0, p <0.0001), along with a higher average of binucleate cells (3.5±2.7 vs. 1.4±1.4 p <0.0001), higher frequency of karyorrhexis (18.2±18.4 vs. 5.8± 18.4, p <0.004) and pyknosis (24.8±18.0 vs. 17.1±8.3; p <0.03).Of the children potentially exposed to pesticides, 40% (19/47) had an exposure time of 6 years. This study provides evidence of genetic damage in the population potentially exposed to pesticides in the environment.

Evaluation of Genotoxicity From Nilufer Stream (Bursa/Turkey) Water Using Piscine Micronucleus Test

by Nilufer Cinkilic

Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Aug-Sep;48(8-9):2443-7. Epub 2010 Jun 9.

Evaluation of genotoxicity from Nilufer... more Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 Aug-Sep;48(8-9):2443-7. Epub 2010 Jun 9.

Evaluation of genotoxicity from Nilufer Stream (Bursa/Turkey) water using piscine micronucleus test.
Summak S, Aydemir NC, Vatan O, Yilmaz D, Zorlu T, Bilaloğlu R.

Biology Department, Uludag University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Gorukle, 16059 Bursa, Turkey.

Abstract
In the present study, the in vivo micronucleus (MN) test in fish erythrocytes was used to evaluate the genotoxic potentials of water samples collected from four different sites along the Nilufer Stream which empties into the Marmara Sea on the north-west of Turkey. Nilufer Stream receives discharges of industrial and domestic wastes resulting from industrialization and urbanization activities in Bursa city. Nile tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus) were exposed to collected water samples under laboratory conditions for 3 and 6 days. Micronuclei analyses were carried out in peripheral blood erythrocytes. In addition to micronuclei, other nuclear abnormalities (NAs) such as bi-nucleated cells and binuclei with nucleoplasmic bridge and cells with blebbed, notched and lobbed nuclei, were assessed in the erythrocytes. Chemical analyses were also carried out in the water samples to assess the presence of major pollutants. MN and NA frequencies were significantly elevated in fishes exposed to water from polluted areas compared to those exposed to clean water sample. The results of this study indicate that Nilufer Stream is contaminated with potential genotoxic chemicals and the genotoxicity is possibly related with the industrial, agricultural and domestic activities.

Evaluation of Chromosome Aberrations, Sister Chromatid Exchange and Micronuclei In Patients With Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus

by Nilufer Cinkilic

Thesis Abstract-Oxidative stress in sickle cell patients: influence of haplotypes and specific medication

by Edis Belini Junior