engleski

Evaluation of tryptophol toxicity in human lymphocytes using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in vitro

Tryptophol (indole-3-ethanol) has been established as an endogenous plant constituent but is also formed in vitro by biosynthesis of certain bacteria, yeasts and some seed plants. It is a compound that induces sleep, and is formed by the parasite in trypanosomal sleeping sickness. Toxicity of tryptophol on human peripheral blood lymphocytes was investigated in vitro using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. The concentrations tested were in range 0.25 mM, 0.50 mM, 1.0 mM and 2.0 mM. The frequencies of micronuclei (MN), nuclear buds, nucleoplasmic bridges as well as apoptotic morphological changes in fixed cells were simultaneously evaluated. In addition, nuclear division index (NDI) both in treated and control cells was estimated. Results indicate that tryptophol caused induction of MN, nuclear buds and nucleoplasmic bridges, as well as the induction of apoptosis in exposed cells. Observed effects were concentration-dependent and their frequencies were the lowest in the sample treated with 0.25 M of tryptophol. We assume that the majority of damage in tryptophol-treated lymphocytes was induced by aneugenic mechanisms. In concentrations tested, tryptophol also affected cell membranes, which in turn led to the marked decrease of the cell volume. Tryptophol also caused the delay in lymphocyte proliferation in vitro, and the values of NDI decreased in parallel with the increase of its concentration. Present study elucidates only a part of tryptophol cytotoxicity to human cells, and leaves open area for further investigations of potential effects on host organism mediated by its secondary metabolites.

tryptophol; lymphocytes; in vitro; micronucleus assay

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