Application of the improved BALB/c 3T3 cell transformation assay to the examination of the initiating and promoting activities of chemicals: the second interlaboratory collaborative study by the non-genotoxic carcinogen study group of Japan.

The Non-genotoxic Carcinogen Study Group in the Environmental Mutagen Society of Japan organised the second step of the inter-laboratory collaborative study on one-stage and two-stage cell transformation assays employing BALB/c 3T3 cells, with the objective of confirming whether the respective laboratories could independently produce results relevant to initiation or promotion. The method was modified to use a medium consisting of DMEM/F12 supplemented with 2% fetal bovine serum and a mixture of insulin, transferrin, ethanolamine and sodium selenite, at the stationary phase of cell growth. Seventeen laboratories collaborated in this study, and each chemical was tested by three to five laboratories. Comparison between the one-stage and two-stage assays revealed that the latter method would be beneficial in the screening of chemicals. In the test for initiating activity with the two-stage assay (post-treated with 0.1microg/ml 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate), the relevant test laboratories all obtained positive results for benzo[a]pyrene and methylmethane sulphonate, and negative results for phenanthrene. Of those laboratories assigned phenacetin for the initiation phase, two returned positive results and two returned negative results, where the latter laboratories tested up to one dose lower than the maximum dose used by the former laboratories. In the exploration of promoting activity with the twostage assay (pretreated with 0.2microg/ml 3-methylcholanthrene), the relevant test laboratories obtained positive results for mezerein, sodium orthovanadate and TGF-beta1, and negative results for anthralin, phenacetin and phorbol. Two results returned for phorbol 12,13-didecanoate were positive, but one result was negative - again, the maximum dose to achieve the latter result was lower than that which produced the former results. These results suggest that this modified assay method is relevant, reproducible and transferable, provided that dosing issues, such as the determination of the maximum dose, are adequately considered. The application of this two-stage assay for screening the initiating and promoting potential of chemicals is recommended for consideration by other research groups and regulatory authorities.

An inter-laboratory collaborative study by the Non-Genotoxic Carcinogen Study Group in Japan, on a cell transformation assay for tumour promoters using Bhas 42 cells.

The Bhas promotion assay is a cell culture transformation assay designed as a sensitive and economical method for detecting the tumour-promoting activities of chemicals. In order to validate the transferability and applicability of this assay, an inter-laboratory collaborative study was conducted with the participation of 14 laboratories. After confirmation that these laboratories could obtain positive results with two tumour promoters, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and lithocholic acid (LCA), 12 coded chemicals were assayed. Each chemical was tested in four laboratories. For eight chemicals, all four laboratories obtained consistent results, and for two of the other four chemicals, only one of the four laboratories showed inconsistent results. Thus, the rate of consistency was high. During the study, several issues were raised, each of which were analysed step-by-step, leading to revision of the protocol of the original assay. Among these issues were the importance of careful maintenance of mother cultures and the adoption of test concentrations for toxic chemicals. In addition, it is suggested that three different types of chemicals show positive promoting activity in the assay. Those designated as T-type induced extreme growth enhancement, and included TPA, mezerein, PDD and insulin. LCA and okadaic acid belonged to the L-type category, in which transformed foci were induced at concentrations showing growth-inhibition. In contrast, M-type chemicals, progesterone, catechol and sodium saccharin, induced foci at concentrations with little or slight growth inhibition. The fact that different types of chemicals similarly induce transformed foci in the Bhas promotion assay may provide clues for elucidating mechanisms of tumour promotion.

Simultaneous analysis of termiticides in indoor air by using gas chromatography mass spectrometry.

We have established a method for simultaneously analyzing termiticides (13 kinds) in indoor air based on collection by combination of quartz filter and C18 Empore extraction disks, and measurement using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The lower limit of determination for each substance was 0.02 microg/m3 when 2 m3 of air was sampled. The recovery was 66-100%, and the relative standard deviation was 3.7-14.2%. In experiments using a model box with commercial termiticides, we verified that emissions of bis (2, 3, 3, 3-tetrachloropropyl) ether (S421) increased with a rise in temperature from 10 degrees C to 20 degrees C to 40 degrees C, whereas almost no etofenprox was released into the air regardless of temperature. In addition, decanal, nonanal and alkanes (C13 and C14), which are major components of termiticides, were detected in relatively high concentrations. In the present study, regardless of low vapor pressure of the termiticides, several compounds were detected with the model box experiment. The conclusion that can be drawn is that it is necessary to survey the indoor environmental pollution.

Tumor-promoting activity and mutagenicity of 5 termiticide compounds.

The tumor-promoting activities of 5 commercial compounds used in termiticides were measured by a cell-transformation assay employing Bhas 42 cells. Their initiating activities were also measured by the microsuspension assay employing S. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. The results of the transformation assay confirmed the tumor-promoting activities of fenitrothion, silafluofen and bifenthrin. Furthermore, the mutagenicity of S-421 and fenitrothion were also confirmed. Consideration of 2-stage carcinogenesis suggests that concurrent use of and long-term exposure to these compounds that have tumor-promoting and initiator activity, and compounds exhibiting either type of activity individually should be avoided as much as possible.