Abstract of research

CYTOTOGENETIC STUDIES ON THE EFFECTS OF ACUTE EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE ON MICE

Fatma E. El-gendya, Bakry, H. H.b, Hemeda, SH.A.c, Abd El-Aal, S.A.d

Abstract

Although formaldehyde is widely used in consumer goods to protect the products from spoilage by microbial contaminations, research has shown that it has various side effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the cytogenetic effects of formaldehyde solution in mice and to evaluate the possible protective effect of vitamin C against the cytogenetic effects of formaldehyde. Thirty-six Swiss albino mice were exposed to various concentrations of formaldehyde. The animals were divided in to six groups (two groups received 1/10 LD50, 1/5 LD50 of formaldehyde other two groups received vitamin C in addition to 1/10 LD50, 1/5 LD50 of formaldehyde and two control groups). Animals were sampled at two different times (48 and 72 hrs). The results revealed that the formaldehyde increased the number of structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations, and decrease the rate of cell division (mitotic index) at either 48 or 72 hrs. There was no significance difference between the two doses of formaldehyde observed. Moreover, the use of vitamin C gave promising results against formaldehyde toxicity as it significantly decreased the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and improving rate of cell division.