Induzione di aberrazioni cromosomiche e micronuclei da il 2-Idrossi-4-metossibenzofenone (BP-3) in linfociti umani

BP-type UV filters are added to personal care products as sunscreens to block the harmful effects of UV light on human skin. BP-type UV filters has been classified as a persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic compound, particularly dangerous for the environment. In particular Benzophenone-3 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; BP-3) is a UV filter used in a variety of personal care products for protection of human skin and hair from damage by ultraviolet radiation. BP-3 and its derivatives are present in many products, most of them of daily use. For example, it's used as agricultural chemical product, flavor ingredient, perfume fixative, additive for plastic, coating and adhesive formulations, insecticides and for pharmaceutical preparations. BP-3 is suspected to exhibit endocrine disruptive properties: it was found to be able to interact with the endocrine system causing alteration of the endocrine homeostasis and potentially lead to adverse health effects. Until today, studies on the genotoxic effect of BP-3 on human cells have not been reported in literature. It seems to be paradoxical, considering the fact that sunscreens and cosmetic products containing BP-3 are largely consumed. For this reason, our purpose was to determine the genotoxic effects of BP-3 in human lymphocytes. Lymphocyte cultures were exposed to five concentrations of BP-3 (0.20, 0.10, 0.05, 0.025 and 0.0125 μg/mL) for 24 and 48 hrs (for chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei tests, respectively). The tested concentrations were established according to the ADI/TDI (Acceptable/tolerable Daily Intake) adopted by Council of Europe, that for BP-3 was established to 0.10 mg/Kg, whereas 0.20, 0.05, 0.025 and 0.0125 µg/mL represents multiple and sub-multiple of this concentration value. Our results reported, for the first time in literature, the cytogenetic effects of BP-3 on cultured human lymphocytes by increasing MNs and CAs frequencies at all tested concentrations, including the lower concentrations with respect to those established by EFSA. Our results suggest the adoption of more stringent measures in order to reduce the presence of this compound in the environment and to minimize the adverse health effects of BP-3 exposure.