[Studies on chrysotile-induced cell transformation and its intervention effect].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of several kinds of chemicals on chrysotile-induced cell transformation in human embryo lung (HEL) cells.

METHODS

After being soaked in aluminum citrate, mixed rare earth or sodium selenite solutions for one hour, chrysotile was incubated with HEL cells. Then, the number of focus of cell transformation was observed.

RESULTS

Chrysotile could cause morphological transformation of HEL cells in a dose-dependent pattern, with (0.60 +/- 0.55), (1.20 +/- 1.31), (2.60 +/- 1.14) and (3.60 +/- 1.14) foci of HEL cell transformation per plate after treatment with 0.625, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 microg/ml of chrysotile, respectively, and there was significant difference between the groups treated with 2.5 and 5.0 microg/ml of chrysotile and control group. It indicated that chrysotile could cause morphological transformation of HEL cells. Number of focus of HEL cell transformation induced by chrysotile that was pretreated with the above-mentioned three kinds of chemicals reduced significantly, as compared with that in the group without pretreatment of it. Its inhibitory rate was 50% in the group treated with mixed rare earth, with significant difference.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment for chrysotile with these three kinds of chemicals could reduce its carcinogenicity.