DNA damaging effects of carbofuran and its main metabolites on mice by micronucleus test and single cell gel electrophoresis.

The DNA damaging effects of the carbamate pesticide carbofuran and its four metabolites (carbofuranphenol, 3-ketocarbofuran, 3-hydrocarbofuran and nitrosocarbofuran) on mice were evaluated by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay and micronucleus test. KM mice were exposed to test compounds with different doses of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg through intraperitoneal injection two times with an internal of 24 h, and then killed by cervical dislocation 6 h after the second injection. In SCGE assay, isolated mice peripheral blood lymphocytes were employed to determine DNA damaging degree after a 1 h treatment by test compounds and a following electrophoresis. Carbofuran and carbofuranphenol showed negative results in both test and had no obvious toxicity. 3-Hydrocarbofuran and nitrosocarbofuran were positive. 3-Ketocarbofuran could not induce micronucleus formation but caused significant DNA migration in SCGE test. These tests revealed that 3-ketocarbofuran, 3-hydrocarbofuran and nitrosocarbofuran are potential mutagesis and further research is needed.