Comparable DNA and chromosome damage in Chinese hamster ovary cells by chlorohydroxyfuranones

Chlorinated drinking water contains several chlorohydroxyfuranone (CHF) by‐products whose contribution to cancer risk is not presently known. 3,4‐Dichloro‐5‐hydroxy‐2(5H)‐furanone (MCA), 3‐chloro‐4‐(chloromethyl)‐5‐hydroxy‐2(5H)‐furanone (CMCF), and 3‐ chloro‐4‐methyl‐5‐hydroxy‐2(5H)‐furanone (MCF) were studied for the induction of DNA damage, using the alkaline single‐cell gel (SCG)/comet assay, and for chromosome damage, using sister‐chromatid exchange (SCE) and chromosome aberration (CA) tests, in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. 3‐Chloro‐4‐(dichloromethyl)‐5‐hydroxy‐2(5H)‐furanone (MX), the known genotoxic chlorination by‐product and a rat carcinogen, was used as a reference chemical. The SCG analyses were done using concentrations that caused little or no cytotoxicity compared to that of the concurrent control cultures. In the cytogenetic tests, the CHFs were tested up to maximum cytotoxicity. MX and MCA were the most cytotoxic of the compounds in CHO cells followed by CMCF and MCF. All of the CHFs induced DNA damage, SCEs and CAs (mainly chromatid‐type breaks and exchanges) in a concentration‐related manner, with the exception that MCA was a weak inducer of SCEs. There were no significant differences between the lowest concentration of MX, MCA, and CMCF to cause DNA damage (SCG assay). Based on comparisons of the slopes of regression lines, MX was somewhat more potent than either MCA or CMCF, and MCF was clearly less potent than the other three compounds in the assay. The order of potency was MX > CMCF > MCA > MCF in inducing SCEs and MX > MCA > CMCF > MCF in inducing CAs. The data show that there are differences in the potency of genotoxicity among the CHFs tested. In many cases, however, the extent of maximum effect observed was comparable between the compounds. The results suggest that besides MX other CHFs should be considered in the evaluation of genotoxic risks associated with the consumption of chlorinated drinking water. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 38:297–305, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.