Genotoxic substances (mutagenic)
Genotoxic substances (mutagenic) are substances which, after inhalation, ingestion or skin penetration, can induce or increase the frequency of genetic damage. Mutagenic substances cause a change in the genetic code of cells. Mutation is a permanent change in the amount or structure of genetic material in an organism, which results in a change in the characteristics of the organism. Changes can involve a single gene, a block of genes, or an entire chromosome.
Occurrence of genotoxic substances[edit | edit source]
These are substances that are contained all around us - in the air, soil, water, food and our home environment. . Furthermore, the mutagenic effect was demonstrated for a number of drugs - antibiotics, cytostatics and disinfectants. They can occur naturally, but more often they are products of human activity.
In the food can be detected:
- naturally genotoxic substances: flavonoids (quarcetin, rutin) and tannins (their contribution to damage is minimal);
- mycotoxins: (aflatoxin B1 – produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus, paulin, ochratoxin): products of fungi arising from improper storage of food (cereals, nuts, beans);
- substances of artificial origin:
- Nitrates, nitrites and nitrosamines – in meat, sausages and cheeses; pyrolyzates of amino acids are created by inappropriate heat treatment of meat;
- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polyhalogen hydrocarbons (PCB/TCDD/F), pesticides - DDT, HCH (these substances are accumulated in adipose tissue);
- metals with a genotoxic effect - arsenic, hexavalent chromium, nickel, cadmium, lead.
In water can be detected:
- products for disinfection of drinking water by chlorination (chloroform, dichlorophenols, dichlorobenzene);
- styrene and formaldehyde.
In the air we find a number of substances that are bound to local activity:
- metals and their compounds (arsenic, chromium, nickel, lead, cadmium);
- organic compounds (benzene, formaldehyde).
In the domestic environment substances are released from building elements, furniture and textiles:
- formaldehyde, styrene, acrylates, phthalates, vinyl chloride.
Types of mutations and their health significance[edit | edit source]
- Gene (point) mutations - arise by changing the sequence of nucleotides in the DNA molecule. They affect individual genes, are transmitted to subsequent generations of cells and offspring, and represent a serious burden on the gene pool of the population. Gene mutations are not detectable under an optical microscope.
- congenital metabolic disorders (phenylketonuria, galactosemia)
- chondrodystrophy, hemophilia
- Chromosome (chromosome aberrations) - are changes in the structure of chromosomes. The condition is a chromosome break followed by a faulty connection or the loss of a part of the chromosome. They are usually not passed on to the next generation. They pose a serious risk to the affected individual. They are detectable in an optical microscope.
- activation of the oncogene at the break point
- degenerative disease (atherosclerosis)
- accelerated aging of cells and tissues
- Genome (aberration of the number of chromosomes) - this is a change in whole multiples of the haploid number of chromosomes (triploidy, tetraploidy, polyploidy). They are detectable in an optical microscope.
- syndromes Down's, Turner's, Klineferter's
Primary prevention of late effects of chemical substances[edit | edit source]
- genotoxic activity testing – new genotoxic substances are prevented from entering the environment
- environmental monitoring - detection of genotoxic substances in the environment (chemical methods, Ames test)
- exposure monitoring – detection of genotoxic substances and their metabolites in the human body
- monitoring of the biological effect – monitoring the reaction of the organism to the action of genotoxically active substances (genetic toxicology, immunological, biochemical methods)
- monitoring the occurrence of genetically determined defects
Links[edit | edit source]
Source[edit | edit source]
Related Articles[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- BENCKO, Vladimir. Hygiene : Teaching texts for seminars and practical exercises. 2nd revised and supplemented edition edition. Karolinum, 2002. 205 pp. ISBN 80-7184-551-5.
- Czech Republic. Ministry of Industry and Trade. Valid chemical legislation. 2008. Available from <https://www.mpo.cz/dokument27543.html>.
