Detection of genotoxic effect of potassium permanganate by using in vitro micronucleus assay

Abstract

Objective: Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent accepted as safe for environment and used for producing cotton fabrics. This process requires alkaline medium, stabilizer and high temperature. For this purpose, it is used extensively in the textile industry. Potassium permanganate is a widely used agent in our country as it is easier to obtain compared to other oxidizing agents. In this study, we investigated whether occupational exposure to potassium permanganate causes genotoxic effect or not. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out in a denim factory located in the Organized Industrial Zone in Sivas. The total number of employees was 600 in the factory including 50 workers in the office and 550 workers in the production department. The study group was consisted of 32 healthy males, non-smokers, without chronic diseases and infections. They had been working at least 2 years in denim bleaching unit. The control group was consisted of 30 healthy male volunteers, at similar age, non-smokers, working in administrative or desk jobs in the same factory, with little or no risk of chemical exposure. Workers who had an infection in the last month and who were on medication were excluded from the study. In Vitro Micronucleus Test was used to determine the genotoxic effect of potassium permanganate. The venous blood samples taken from the workers and controls was cultured in laboratory conditions according to Fenech’s method with minor modifications. Evaluation of slides was carried out according to Fenech’s microscopic survey criteria at ×1000 magnification. The frequencies of the total number of micronuclei in the lymphocytes (MNL) and bi-nucleated cells with the micronuclei (BNMN) were determined. In addition, to determine the frequencies of nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBUDs), 1000 nucleated cells with well-preserved cytoplasm were also evaluated. Student’s T-test was used for statistical evaluation. Results: When groups were compared, the micronucleus frequency was detected as about twice high in study group. Statistically significant difference was detected between the study and control group (p 0.05). Conclusions: Indicators of genotoxic effect were higher in the group with potassium permanganate exposure than the control group. High micronucleus and nuclear bud frequencies in the study group may be indicative of genotoxicity. It may be thought that clastogenic and mutagenic risk increases for employees. Keywords: Potassium permanganate, micronucleus, nucleoplasmic bridge, nuclear bud, genotoxicity