Investigation of genotoxic effects of paraben and derivatives on human lymphocyte dna with RAPD-PCR and comet techniques

Paraben and paraben esters (methyl, ethyl, propyl, ısopropyl, buthyl, ısobuthyl) are the additives frequently used in pharmaceuticals, foods, personal care cosmetics. Detection of intact parabens which are generally regarded as safe but have weak oestogenic effect, in the breast tumor necessitates the reassessment of the carcinogenic potential of these substances. In this study, genotoxic effects of paraben and esters (methyl, ethyl, propyl, ısopropyl, buthyl, ısobuthyl) of it, frequently used in foods, personal care cosmetics and pharmaceuticals have been investigated in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by using RAPD-PCR and comet assay. In lymphocytes culture for 24 h and 48 h treatment periods 500, 250, 100 ve 50 µg/ml concentrations of paraben and 100, 50, 25 ve 10 µg/ml concentrations of paraben esters were used in RAPD technique. 3 random primers consisted of 10-mer were used in PCRs. Polymorphic bants have occured compared with control bands in RAPD profiles of the cells treated with paraben esters. Thus, it has been determined that these chemicals have potential for affecting genomic stability. But it is recommended that more studies be conducted with more primers to calculate the relationship between the percentage of genomic instability and the exposure doses and durations. In comet assay for 1 hour treatment period 1000, 750, 500 ve 250µg/ml concentrations of paraben; 750, 500, 250 ve 125 µg/ml concentrations of methyl p.; 500, 250, 125 ve 50 µg/ml concentrations of ethyl p.; 250, 125, 50 ve 25 µg/ml concentrations of propyl and isopropyl p.; 50, 25 ve 10 µg/ml concentrations of buthyl and isobuthyl paraben were used. Compared to controls, the comet tail length of treated groups significantly increased with dose and alkyl chain length of parabens used. Keywords: Human lymphocytes, Parabens, Comet assay, RAPD-PCR