Effect on Growth But Not on Chromosomes of the Mammalian Cells After Treatment with Three Organophosphorus Insecticides

Abstract

Summary

Growth of three human hematopoietic cell lines was inhibited by the treatment of any one of the three organophos–phorus insecticides used, namely malathion, DI–syston and methyl parathion. Cell growth usually resumed the normal rate after removal of the medium containing the insecticide. Chromosome studies in cultures treated with any one of the insecticides did not show an increase in the incidence of metaphases with chromosome aberrations compared with negative controls. Cultures were treated with a known chromosome breaking agent, methyl methanesulfonate, to serve as a positive control. An inhibition of cell growth and high incidence of chromosome aberrations was observed in these cultures. Methyl parathion was injected into ICR mice at several dose levels and the animals were sacrificed for examination after 24 hr. No increase in incidence of cells with chromosome aberrations was found in the bone marrow.