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HERO ID
625719
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Acute cytotoxicities of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons determined in vitro with the human liver tumor cell line, HepG2
Author(s)
Babich, H; Sardana, MK; Borenfreund, E
Year
1988
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Cell Biology and Toxicology
ISSN:
0742-2091
EISSN:
1573-6822
Report Number
BIOSIS/88/34619
Volume
4
Issue
3
Page Numbers
295-309
Language
English
PMID
2852052
DOI
10.1007/BF00058738
Abstract
The neutral red in vitro cytotoxicity assay was adapted for use with the human hepatocellular tumor cell line HepG2 to detect the cytotoxic potencies of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Using benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) as the representative PAH, it was determined that a 3-day exposure was the most suitable for detecting cytotoxic potency and that preexposure to 5 micrograms/ml Arochlor enhanced the sensitivity of the HepG2 cells to the toxicant. Such enhanced sensitivity probably reflected increased metabolic conversion of the B[a]P to active metabolites after culturing the cells in the presence of Arochlor. This was shown by a 3-fold increase in the activity of 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase, an indicator of mixed-function oxygenase activity. Furthermore, a reduction in sensitivity to B[a]P occurred when the cells were cultured in the presence of alpha-napthoflavone, an inhibitor of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity. When Arochlor-induced cells were transferred to medium lacking Arochlor, the level of 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylase quickly declined to basal levels. Arochlor-induced cells were also able to detect the cytotoxic potencies of benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[b]-fluoranthene, chrysene, benzo[a]anthracene pyrene, phenanthrene, and fluoranthene, whereas fluorene, anthracene, acenaphthene, and acenaphthylene were not cytotoxic.
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