A strategy to study genotoxicity: application to aquatic toxins, limits and solutions

Abstract

Humans can be exposed to aquatic toxins mainly through contamination of food and water (drinking and recreational). Among these toxins, contamination by both phycotoxins occurring in shellfish and cyanotoxins mostly involved in freshwater bodies are of concern for public health. Whereas regulations exist to evaluate the genotoxicity of most compounds to which humans are exposed, including drugs and chemicals, no regulations have been established for these compounds. In this paper, we show that the same strategy including both in vitro and in vivo tests can be followed to evaluate the genotoxicity of aquatic toxins (phycotoxins and cyanotoxins). However, this strategy encountered different limits which arise when completing an overview of the genotoxic potential of toxins. The most restrictive one is undoubtedly the low amount (even the lack sometimes) of purified toxins available. Solutions and recommendations for testing the genotoxicity of aquatic toxins are suggested to overcome the specific problems encountered with these compounds. It must be kept in mind that recent developments in drug toxicology should be considered and that experiments must be conducted in respect of the 3Rs principle of refinement, reduction and replacement for animal experimentation.

The adsorption of salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid and atenolol from aqueous solutions onto natural zeolites and clays: Clinoptilolite, bentonite and kaolin

“…Moreover, pharmaceuticals have physiological effects on humans and animals also in very low (trace) concentrations. It has been proven that they can cause aquatic toxicity, development of resistance in pathogenic microbes, genotoxicity and endocrine disruption [1,2,11,12]. PACs are classified as ''contaminants of emerging concern'' (CECs), [13] or ''emerging pollutants''.…”

Antimicrobial medical sutures with caffeic acid phenethyl ester and their in vitro/in vivo biological assessment

“…The results of the micronucleus assay demonstrated that the extract liquid of the CAPE-Suture has no inuence on gene replication. 34,35 Overall, PLGA materials are commonly used as suture in abdominal operations especially in recurrent and incision hernia repair. Due to their biodegradable and biocompatible properties, the use of PLGA as supports in drug delivery has been increased in recent years.…”

Monitoring Lipophilic Toxins in Seawater Using Dispersive Liquid—Liquid Microextraction and Liquid Chromatography with Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry

“…According to the symptoms observed in animal studies or human poisoning, aquatic toxins can be classified into those that cause paralytic, amnesic, diarrhetic, neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, and ciguatera fish poisoning. Although additional syndromes are increasingly appearing, each type of poisoning is associated with a specific group of biotoxins [10].…”