Photomutagenesis test development: II. 8-Methoxypsoralen, chlorpromazine and sunscreen compounds in chromosomal aberration assays using CHO cells.

Chromosomal changes were analysed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells treated with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) or chlorpromazine (CPZ) and irradiated with either a UVA fluorescent tube (emission spectrum ranging from 350 to 400 nm) or a xenon burner (continuous emission spectrum simulating ambient sunlight). In the dark neither 8-MOP nor CPZ was genotoxic by itself. If these compounds were used in combination with UV irradiation the rate of chromosome aberrations was significantly increased. The magnitude of the clastogenic response was dependent on compound concentration and UV dose. The spectral composition also played an important role. Care must be taken to account for spectral changes caused, e.g., by passage of the light through the plastic lid of the container. The possible clastogenicity of two sunscreens was tested with two protocols: (1) cells attached to the culture dish were treated in presence of the sunscreen in the medium or (2) cells were irradiated through a layer of sunscreen solution as a filter. With this a clear UVB-absorbing effect and a decreased frequency of UVAB-induced chromosome aberration was evident with the UVB-absorbing compound Parsol HS but was absent, as expected, with the UVA-absorbing compound Parsol 1789. The presence of the sunscreens in the irradiated cell sample did not cause a significant increase in UV-induced chromosome aberrations.