Genotoxicity of mercury compounds. A review

Flora, Silvio De; Bennicelli, Carlo; Bagnasco, Maria

doi:10.1016/0165-1110(94)90012-4

Cited by 167 publications

(74 citation statements)

References 76 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…DNA damage was reported by Pereira et al (2009) in golden grey mullet, L. aurata due to environmental exposure of mercury. Clastogenic effects mostly associated with the spindle mechanism disturbance and the generation of reactive oxygen species, accompanied by glutathione depletion contributes to the genotoxicity of mercury (De Flora et al, 1994). The present study demonstrates the potential of cadmium chloride and mercuric chloride to induce DNA damage in primary haemocyte culture.…”

mentioning

confidence: 75%

Application of primary haemocyte culture of Penaeus monodon in the assessment of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of heavy metals and pesticides

Jose

Puthumana

Mohandas

et al. 2011

Marine Environmental Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

a b s t r a c tLack of shrimp cell lines has hindered the study of pollutants which adversely affects shrimp health and its export value. In this context a primary haemocyte culture developed from Penaeus monodon was employed for assessing the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of two heavy metal compounds, cadmium chloride and mercuric chloride and two organophosphate insecticides, malathion and monocrotophos.Using MTT assay 12 h IC 50 values calculated were 31.09 AE 16.27 mM and 5.52 AE 1.16 mM for cadmium chloride and mercuric chloride and 59.94 AE 52.30 mg l À1 and 186.76 AE 77.00 mg l À1 for malathion and monocrotophos respectively. Employing Comet assay, DNA damage inflicted by these pollutants on haemocytes were evaluated and the pollutants induced DNA damage in >60% of the cells. The study suggested that haemocyte culture could be used as a tool for quantifying cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of aquaculture drugs, management chemicals and pollutants.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 75%

Application of primary haemocyte culture of Penaeus monodon in the assessment of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of heavy metals and pesticides

Jose

Puthumana

Mohandas

et al. 2011

Marine Environmental Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Increased numbers of chromosome alterations and micronuclei have been reported in people who consume contaminated fish (8,9) and in miners and workers of explosive factories (10,11). Negative results were also obtained in some cases (12,13), demonstrating that cytogenetic monitoring of peripheral blood lymphocytes in individuals exposed to mercury from different sources may not be completely specific (5).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Mercury genotoxicity has been usually attributed to its ability to react with the sulfhydryl groups of tubulin, impairing spindle function and leading to chromosomal aberrations and polyploidy (5). Another important mechanism of mercury genotoxicity is its ability to produce free radicals that can cause DNA damage (6,7).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of low doses of mercury chloride and methylmercury chloride on human lymphocytes in vitro

Silva-Pereira

Cardoso

Leite

et al. 2005

Braz J Med Biol Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Mercury is a xenobiotic metal that is a highly deleterious environmental pollutant. The biotransformation of mercury chloride (HgCl 2 ) into methylmercury chloride (CH 3 HgCl) in aquatic environments is well-known and humans are exposed by consumption of contaminated fish, shellfish and algae. The objective of the present study was to determine the changes induced in vitro by two mercury compounds (HgCl 2 and CH 3 HgCl) in cultured human lymphocytes. Short-term human leukocyte cultures from 10 healthy donors (5 females and 5 males) were set-up by adding drops of whole blood in complete medium. Cultures were separately and simultaneously treated with low doses (0.1 to 1000 µg/l) of HgCl 2 and CH 3 HgCl and incubated at 37ºC for 48 h. Genotoxicity was assessed by chromosome aberrations and polyploid cells. Mitotic index was used as a measure of cytotoxicity. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the relative frequency of chromosome aberrations was observed for all concentrations of CH 3 HgCl when compared to control, whether alone or in an evident sinergistic combination with HgCl 2 . The frequency of polyploid cells was also significantly increased (P < 0.05) when compared to control after exposure to all concentrations of CH 3 HgCl alone or in combination with HgCl 2 . CH 3 HgCl significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the mitotic index at 100 and 1000 µg/l alone, and at 1, 10, 100, and 1000 µg/l when combined with HgCl 2 , showing a synergistic cytotoxic effect. Our data showed that low concentrations of CH 3 HgCl might be cytotoxic/genotoxic. Such effects may indicate early cellular changes with possible biological consequences and should be considered in the preliminary evaluation of the risks of populations exposed in vivo to low doses of mercury.

show abstract

“…Renzoni et al (1998) demonstrated that long-term and frequent intake of fish with high Hg levels is statistically associated with a toxic risk, especially in pregnant women. A sad, famous poisoning episode occurred in the 1950s among people living around Minamata Bay (Japan), showing the irreversible neurological damage and teratogenic effects due to consummation of Hg-contaminated fish (De Flora et al, 1994). Methylmercury (MeHg) is the most toxic form, able to interfere with thiol metabolism, causing inhibition or inactivation of proteins containing thiol ligands and ultimately leading to mitotic disturbances (Das et al, 1982;Elhassani, 1983).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury in fishes from Augusta Bay (southern Italy): Risk assessment and health implication

Manta

Oliveri

et al. 2013

Food and Chemical Toxicology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

a b s t r a c tOur study reports on the total mercury (HgT) concentrations measured in the muscles and livers of several benthic, demersal and pelagic fish species caught inside and outside of Augusta Bay (southern Italy), a semi-enclosed marine area, highly contaminated by the uncontrolled (since the 1950s to 1978s) discharge of the largest European petrochemical plant. Mercury levels in fish tissues are discussed with regard to specific habitat, size and/or age of the specimens and HgT distribution in the bottom sediments. Results suggest a still active Hg release mechanism from the polluted sediments to the marine environment. Also, the high HgT concentrations measured in fishes caught in the external area of the bay imply a potential role of Augusta Bay as a pollutant source for the Mediterranean ecosystem. Finally, values of hazard target quotient (THQ) and estimated weekly intake (EWI) demonstrate that consumption of fishes caught inside the bay represents a serious risk for human health. Also, data indicate that intake of fishes caught from the external area of the bay, especially for that concern demersal and benthic species, could be represent a significant component of risk for the local population.

show abstract

Genotoxicity of mercury compounds. A review

Cited by 167 publications

References 76 publications

Application of primary haemocyte culture of Penaeus monodon in the assessment of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of heavy metals and pesticides

Application of primary haemocyte culture of Penaeus monodon in the assessment of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of heavy metals and pesticides

Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of low doses of mercury chloride and methylmercury chloride on human lymphocytes in vitro

Mercury in fishes from Augusta Bay (southern Italy): Risk assessment and health implication

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About