Genotoxic effects of a particular mixture of acetamiprid and α‐cypermethrin on chromosome aberration,sister chromatid exchange,and micronucleus formation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes

The genotoxic effects of a particular mixture of acetamiprid (Acm, neonicotinoid insecticide) and α‐cypermethrin (α‐cyp, pyrethroid insecticide) on human peripheral lymphocytes were examined in vitro by chromosomal aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and micronucleus (MN) tests. The human peripheral lymphocytes were treated with 12.5 + 2.5, 15 + 5, 17.5 + 7.5, and 20 + 10 μg/mL of Acm+α‐cyp, respectively, for 24 and 48 h. The mixture of Acm+α‐cyp induced the CAs and SCEs at all concentrations and treatment times when compared with both the control and solvent control and these increases were concentration‐dependent in both treatment times. MN formation was significantly induced at 12.5 + 2.5, 15 + 5, 17.5 + 7.5, μg/mL of Acm+α‐cyp when compared with both controls although these increases were not concentration‐dependent. Binuclear cells could not be detected sufficiently in the highest concentration of the mixture (20 + 10 μg/mL) for both the 24‐ and 48‐h treatment times. Mitotic index (MI), proliferation index (PI) and nuclear division index (NDI) significantly decreased because of the cytotoxic and cytostatic effects of the mixture, at all concentrations for two treatment periods. Significant decreases in MI and PI were concentration dependent at both treatment times. The decrease in NDI was also concentration‐dependent at 48‐h treatment period. In general, Acm+α‐cyp inhibited nuclear division more than positive control, mitomycin C (MMC) and showed a higher cytostatic effect than MMC. Furthermore, in this article, the results of combined effects of Acm+α‐cyp were compared with the results of single effects of Acm or α‐cyp (Kocaman and Topaktas, 2007 , 2009 , respectively). In conclusion, the particular mixture of Acm+α‐cyp synergistically induced the genotoxicity/cytotoxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010.