The promutagenic arylamines, mphenylenediamine (mPDA) and 2clminofluorene (2-AF), were evaluated for their genotoxicity in Salmonella typhimurium strain YG 1024 and in human lymphocytes.
These agents were assayed with and without TXlMX plant activation mix. Both arylamines without activation were refractory in S. typhimurium, demonstrating that plant activation was required for the generation of their ultimate mutagenic metabe lites. However, using the alkaline singlecell gel/ Comet assay, both mPDA and 2AF directly induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes. This effect was reduced when the human cells were treated with the arylamine plus TXIMX. mPDA with or without plant activation was not toxic to the exposed cells. However, at concentrations over 80 pM, 2-AF was toxic to lymphocytes, This toxic response was eliminated by incubation with TX1 MX. mPDA and 2AF were plantclctivated into mutagens for S. typhimurium. However, these plantclctivated products had a reduced genotoxic potency in human lymphocytes. o 1995 WiIey-Liss, Inc.