@@The genetic toxicity of chromium compounds has been reviewed recently
(Venitt, 249, 1986). The markedly different chemical and biological properties
of trivalent and hexavalent chromium are critical to an understanding of
their genetic toxicity.
@@s
@@ib[III]) is the more stable
oxidation state, and under physiological conditions it may form complexes
with ligands such as nucleic acids, proteins and organic acids. Biological
membranes are thought to be impermeable to b[III], although phagocytosis
of particulate b[III] can occur. Hexavalent chromium (Cr[VI]) usually
forms strongly oxidizing chromate and dichromate ions, which readily cross
biological membranes and are easily reduced under physiological conditions
to b[III]. b[III] compounds may be contaminated with Cr[VI] compounds
(and vice versa).
@@Cr[VI]
@@People occupationally exposed to Cr[VI] compounds ( in chromate production
and in electroplating factories) had elevated incidences of CAs in their
peripheral blood Lym.; reports on SCE induction were conflicting. Workers
exposed to chromium compounds during stainless-steel welding did not show
increased incidences of CAs, MNs or SCEs in peripheral blood Lym. (see
IARC, 23, 205; Leonard, 229, 1986; Venitt, 249, 1986).
@@Cr[VI] induced DL mutations, CAs and MNs in rodents treated in vivo. In human cells in vitro , it caused CAs, SCEs and DNA damage. In cultured rodent cells, it induced
transformation, CAs, SCEs, mutation and DNA damage. It induced aneuploidy
in Drosophila and mitotic recombinantion in yeast. It was mutagenic and caused DNA damage in bacteria.
@@Cr[III]
@@No data were available on the genetic and related effects of these
compounds in humans.
@@there is no consistent evidence that water-soluble b[III] has genetic activity. The few positive results were obtained only with doses about 100 times higher than those of Cr[VI] required to produce such effects.
@@b[III] did not induce MNs in bone-marrow cells of mice treated in vivo. Conflicting results were obtained for the induction of CAs in human Lym. in vitro, and neither SCEs nor UDS was induced in human cells in vitro. Conflicting results were obtained concerning the induction of CAs, mutation and SCEs in rodent cells in culture. b[III] did not induce mutation in bacteria, but induced DNA damage.
@@Insoluble crystalline chromium oxide (Cr2O3) induced SCEs and mutation
in cultured Chinese hamster cells, which were shown to contain particles
of the test material.@@ |