Sister chromatid exchanges in Chinese hamster V79 cells treated with the trivalent chromium compounds chromic chloride and chromic oxide

• Published in: Carcinogenesis (New York) 1983, Vol.4 (5), p.605-611
• Main Authors: Elias, Z., Schneider, O., Aubry, F., Daniere, M.C., Poirot, O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Cycle - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Chlorides; Chromium - pharmacology; Chromium Compounds; Cricetinae; Cricetulus; Crossing Over, Genetic - drug effects; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Sister Chromatid Exchange - drug effects
• ISSN: 0143-3334; 1460-2180
• DOI: 10.1093/carcin/4.5.605

The induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in Chinese hamster V79 cells exposed to soluble CrCl3 and insoluble Cr2O3, compounds of trivalent chromium (Cr3+), was determined. Their ability to induce SCEs was compared with those of three hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) compounds: K2CrO4, Na2CrO4 and Na2Cr2O7. Both the delay in progression through the cell cycle induced by Cr3+ compounds and the SCE frequencies in the delayed cells were also evaluated. The exposure for 28 h to CrCl3 and Cr2O3 at concentrations of 9.7–39 μg and of 34–136 fig of Cr3+ per ml, respectively, induced a statistically significant (p < 0.001) dose-dependent increase in SCEs up to 1.9–fold (CrCl3 and 4-fold (Cr2Cl3) over control levels. Compared with the effective concentrations of Cr6+ compounds, which produced up to 4-fold increase of SCEs, inducing concentrations of CrCl3 and Cr2O3 were 300- and 1000-fold higher in terms of chromium. By prolongation of treatment time up to 48 h, a progressive dose- and time-related enhancement in SCE frequencies induced by Cr3+ compounds in delayed cells was observed. Lower concentrations of Cr2O3, without effect after 28 h of treatment, induced an increase of SCEs by prolongation of exposure time.