A study for the genotoxicity assessment of substances containing probiotic candidates in the in vitro TK6 cell micronucleus test: Influence of low pH conditions and antibiotic supplementation on the test results.

Background: When assessing the genotoxicity of substances containing probiotic candidates, such as lactic acid-producing bacteria, using the in vitro micronucleus test (MNT), bacterial growth in the test medium may reduce the pH of the medium. The low medium pH is known to induce cytotoxicity and false-positive results. In the TK6 cell system, it is difficult to completely remove the bacteria from the medium by washing post-treatment, leading to bacterial growth during the recovery period in the short-term treatment.

In vivo genotoxicity testing strategies: Report from the 8th International Workshop on Genotoxicity Testing (IWGT).

The in vivo working group (WG) considered three topics: acceptable maximum doses for negative erythrocyte micronucleus (MN) tests, validation status of MN assays in non-hematopoietic tissues, and nuisance factors in the comet assay. The WG reached agreement on many issues, including: negative erythrocyte MN studies should be acceptable if dosing is conducted to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline (TG) 474 recommendations and if sufficient bone marrow exposure is demonstrated; consensus on the evidence required to demonstrate "sufficient" exposure was not reached. The liver MN test using six-week-old rats is sufficiently validated to develop an OECD TG, but the impact of animal age warrants additional study.

Micronucleus test using formalin-fixed rat glandular stomach and colon.

Background: Genotoxicity in tissues other than hematopoietic tissues, such as the liver and gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is an important focus in the risk assessment of chemicals in humans. We previously developed a rat micronucleus test for the GI tract, which is the first contact tissue where chemicals are introduced into the body through oral exposure. Target cells were obtained from fresh tissue samples by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA) treatment.

Evaluation of a 4-day repeated-dose micronucleus test in rat glandular stomach and colon using aneugens and non-genotoxic non-carcinogens.

Background: We previously developed a rodent gastrointestinal (GI) tract micronucleus (MN) test using the glandular stomach and/or colon, and evaluated this test method using several genotoxic carcinogens (clastogens) and genotoxic non-carcinogens; we demonstrated that this test method could detect genotoxic stomach and/or colon carcinogens with target organ specificity. In the present study, we further evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of the MN test for the rat glandular stomach and colon using three aneugens (colchicine, vinblastine sulfate, and docetaxel hydrate) and two non-genotoxic non-carcinogens (sodium chloride and sucrose).

Results: Male Crl:CD (SD) rats were administered test compounds through clinical administration route (orally or intravenously) for four consecutive days and then examined for the micronucleated cell frequencies in the glandular stomach and colon.

Detection of hepatocarcinogens by combination of liver micronucleus assay and histopathological examination in 2-week or 4-week repeated dose studies.

Background: Currently, revisions to the ICH S1 guidance on rodent carcinogenicity testing are being proposed. Application of this approach would reduce the use of animals in accordance with the 3Rs principles (reduce/refine/replace). The method would also shift resources to focus on more scientific mechanism-based carcinogenicity assessments and promote safe and ethical development of new small molecule pharmaceuticals.