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Trematode infections have long been associated with specific types of cancer. We investigated the ability of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica to alter host enzymes in a manner that might provide insight into the phenomenon of biologically associated cancers. Our data demonstrate an increased activity of the CYP2A5 isozyme in male mouse liver infected with F.hepatica. Induction of this enzyme was further assessed immunohistochemically. The infection affected CYP2A5 distribution in hepatic tissue. Inflammation and proliferation in liver tissue were observed at the same time that CYP2A5 activity increased. This enzyme is known to participate in the metabolism of several carcinogens which are common contaminants in environments of developing countries where parasitic infections may be prevalent.

Commercial and technical grades of 11 herbicides and 13 combinations of commercial grade herbicides were evaluated for their genotoxic properties with Salmonella typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae directly and following plant and animal activation, or with Zea mays. The herbicides were related by their use in commercial corn (maize) production. Commercial grade formulations of each herbicide and combination of herbicides were also evaluated in situ with the pollen waxy locus assay of Z. mays. Eradicane and bifenox were negative in all assays. Alachlor, propachlor, procyazine and SD50093 (a formulation of cyanazine plus atrazine) were positive in one assay. Cyanazine, dicamba and metolachlor were positive in 2 assays. Atrazine, simazine and butylate were tested only in situ. Atrazine and simazine were positive and butylate was negative. Of the combinations of herbicides evaluated with the 3 genetic assays, alachlor plus bifenox and procyazine plus metolachlor were positive in 1 assay and metolachlor plus atrazine was positive in 2 assays. Of the combinations of herbicides evaluated only in situ, butylate plus atrazine, eradicane plus atrazine, eradicane plus cyanazine and metolachlor plus cyanazine were positive while butylate plus cyanazine was negative.