Determination of mutagenic and genotoxic effect of some pesticides

In this study, we aimed to determined the mutagenic effects of two organophosphate pesticides (Chlorthiophos ve Anilofos) which are widely used in agriculture, by using Ames test. At the same time, the cytogenetic and genotoxic effects of these pesticides also determined in human peripheral blood lymphocyte culture by using chromosome aberration (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus test (MN).Five different concentrations of these pesticides were tested by Ames test on TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA102 strains with and without S9 metabolic activation. All concentrations of both pesticides have not shown mutagenic activity on TA97, TA100 and TA102 strains with and without S9 fraction. But, all concentrations of Chlorthiophos and 10, 100 and 1000 ?g/plate concentrations of Anilofos were observed to be mutagenic on TA98 strain without S9 fraction.The cultures were treated with four different concentrations of pesticides (25, 50, 100 and 200 µg/ml) for 24 and 48 hours. It was determined that Chlorthiophos did not increase SCE frequency in all treatment periods and concentrations, and 200 µg/ml concentration of Chlorthiophos induced the CA frequency. Its only 200 µg/ml concentrations in 24 and 48 hours treatment periods were observed to increase MN formation. In addition, this pesticide was reduced mitotic index (MI) and cytokinesis-block proliferation index (CBPI)) significantly. But, Chlortiophos did not effect the proliferation index (PI).Anilofos did not induce SCE frequency, PI, and MN formation in all concentrations of both treatment period. It was determined that Anilofos increased CA frequency at 100 and 200 µg/ml cocentrations in 24 hours treatment periods and 50, 100, and 200 µg/ml concentrations in 48 hours treatment periods. In addition, it was determined that this pesticide was decreased MI and CBPI significantly. It was concluded that Chlorthiophos and Anilofos are clastogenic due to increasing effect in CA frequency and possible cytotoxic due to decreasing effect in MI and CBPI.