[Damage effects of asbestos and cigarette smoke solution on human embryo lung cell DNA].

OBJECTIVE

To study the combined damage effects of asbestos and cigarette solution on human embryo lung cell (HEL) DNA.

METHODS

Unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) assay was used. Repair and synthesis on DNA in HEL treated with asbestos and/or cigarette smoke was studied.

RESULTS

It showed that UDS in HEL could be induced by exposure to asbestos or cigarette smoke only with a significant dose-response relationship, and the amounts of [3H]-TdR incorporation in cells treated with combination of asbestos and cigarette smoke was significantly higher than their sum in cells treated with asbestos or cigarette only.

CONCLUSION

There is a synergistic damage effect of asbestos and cigarette on DNA of HEL. In addition, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a scavenger of .OH, can partly inhibit [3H]-TdR incorporation caused by asbestos. And .OH plays certain role in damage to DNA of cells caused by asbestos.