2-Butoxyethanol has been tested for genotoxicity in a range of in vitro and in vivo assays (see Elliott & Ashby, 1997, for a recent review). In standard
tests in bacteria, 2-butoxyethanol was not mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537, TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102 (Zeiger et al., 1992; Hoflack et al., 1995; Gollapudi et al., 1996). However, the results for strain TA98a were inconsistent, with
one report of mutagenicity observed in both the presence and absence of
metabolic activation (Hoflack et al., 1995) and another report of no mutagenicity (Gollapudi et al., 1996). 2-Butoxyethanol was not mutagenic at the HPRT locus in Chinese
hamster ovary cells in either the presence or absence of metabolic activation
(McGregor, 1984; Chiewchanwit & Au, 1995). However, there was evidence
that it caused gene mutations at the HPRT locus in Chinese hamster lung
(V79) cells (Elias et al., 1996). An in vitro assay for unscheduled DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes yielded
equivocal results (Elliott & Ashby, 1997). 2-Butoxyethanol produced
sister chromatid exchanges in human peripheral lymphocytes but not in
Chinese hamster lung (V79) or ovary cells. In vitro cytogenetic
assays conducted with human peripheral lymphocytes, Chinese hamster
lung (V79) cells, and Chinese hamster ovary cells revealed no
induction of chromosomal aberrations. An in vitro micronucleus
assay in Chinese hamster lung (V79) cells, which incorporated a test
for aneuploidy, yielded equivocal results (Elliott & Ashby, 1997).
In vivo mutagenicity tests have yielded uniformly negative results for 2-butoxyethanol.
These assays have included three bone marrow micronucleus tests utilizing
intraperitoneal injection in rats and mice (Elias et al., 1996; Elliott & Ashby, 1997); a [32P]post-labelling assay for DNA adducts in the brain, kidney, liver, spleen,
and testes of orally dosed rats (Keith et al., 1996); an assay for DNA methylation in the brain, kidney, liver, spleen,
and testes of rats and in FVB/N transgenic mice carrying the v-Ha- ras. Results of a US National Toxicology Program 2-year carcinogenesis bioassay
completed in July 1995 were not available at the time this CICAD was prepared.
oncogene (Keith et al., 1996); as well as a test for tumour formation in FVB/N transgenic mice
(Keith et al., 1996). Although the results of in vitro tests for mutagenicity of 2-butoxyethanol are
inconsistent, the absence of structural alerts as well as the negative
results from in vivo studies are sufficiently reassuring to allow the conclusion that 2-butoxyethanol
is not mutagenic.
Mutagenicity studies have also been performed on two metabolites
of 2-butoxyethanol -- 2-butoxyacetic acid and 2-butoxyacetaldehyde. 2-Butoxyacetic
acid was not mutagenic in a series of in vitro assays, in addition to an in vivo micronucleus assay in mice administered the chemical by intraperitoneal
injection (Hoflack et al., 1995; Elias et al., 1996; Elliott & Ashby, 1997). 2-Butoxyacetaldehyde exhibited mutagenic
potential in several in vitro studies (including tests for HPRT gene mutation,
chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, aneuploidy, and sister chromatid
exchange); however, in the absence of data from in vivo studies, it is not possible to reach a final conclusion concerning the
possible mutagenic hazard of this metabolite (Chiewchanwit & Au, 1995;
Hoflack et al., 1995; Elias et al., 1996; Elliott & Ashby, 1997).
References
EElliott BM, Ashby J (1997) Review of the genotoxicity of 2-butoxyethanol.
Mutation research, 387: 89-96.
EZeiger E, Anderson B, Haworth S, Lawlor T, Mortelmans K (1992) Salmonella mutagenicity tests: V. Results from the testing of 311
chemicals. Environmental and molecular mutagenesis, 19 (Suppl. 21): 2-141.
EHoflack JC, Lambolez L, Elias Z, Vasseur P (1995) Mutagenicity of ethylene
glycol ethers and of their metabolites in Salmonella typhimurium his-. Mutation research, 341(4): 281-287.
EGollapudi BB, Barber ED, Lawlor TE, Lewis SA (1996) Re-examination of the mutagenicity of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether to Salmonella tester strain TA97a. Mutation research, 370: 61-64.
EMcGregor DB (1984) The genotoxicity of glycol ethers. Environmental health perspectives, 57: 97-103.
EChiewchanwit T, Au WW (1995) Mutagenicity and cytotoxicity of 2-butoxyethanol
and its metabolite, 2-butoxyacetaldehyde, in Chinese hamster (CHO-AS52)
cells. Mutation research, 334(13): 341-346.
EElias Z, Daniere MC, Marande AM, Poirot O, Terzelti F, Schneider O (1996)
Genotoxic and/or epigenetic effects of some glycol ethers: results of different
short-term tests. Occupational hygiene, 2:187-212.
EKeith G, Coulais C, Edo?h A, Botlin MC, Rihn B (1996) Ethylene glycol
monobutyl ether has neither epigenetic nor genotoxic effects in acute treated
rats and in subchronic treated v-Ha- ras transgenic mice.
Occupational hygiene, 2: 237-249.
|