ABSTRACT

Nuarimol, the structural analogue of DDT, similarly to other polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, induces monoxygenase activity. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) belong to chemical compounds exhibiting strong mutagenic and carcinogenic properties followed the metabolic activation. Genotoxic activity of promutagens, including NDMA and 2-AAF depends on the activity of monoxygenase enzymes. The study aimed at clarification of the effect of nuarimol on the mutagenic activity of NDMA and 2-AAF in in vivo micronucleus test. The experiments were performed on Swiss mice, which were exposed to nuarimol or Aroclor 1254 (as the positive control) followed by the exposure to NDMA or 2-AAF. The micronuclei were counted in the bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes and in the erythrocytes of the peripheral blood. The results show thad NDMA as well as 2-AAF induce failures in the genetic material in the bone marrow cells. Nuarimol given to the mice before the exposure to NDMA or 2-AAF did not cause changes in the micronuclei frequency. However, the prior intoxication by Aroclor 1254 resulted in the increase of the number of erythrocytes with micronuclei induced by NDMA in bone marrow and peripheral blood. This effect has not been observed in the mice intoxicated by 2-AAF prior to Aroclor 1254.