The present study evaluated the ability of methyl tert butyl ether (MTBE) to induce micronuclei and comet assay in vivo after 14 and 28 days exposure by the oral route. Rats administered MTBE orally at 800 or 1600 mg/kg/day in corn oil for 14 or 28 consecutive days. MTBE induced a higher number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes at a dose of 1600 mg for 14 days. MTBE produced slight increase in MNPCEs 28 days post-treatment with two dose levels. Conversely, the polychromatic erythrocytes and normochromatic erythrocytes (P/N) ratio declined with increasing dose and time of treatment. A significant increase in comet assay parameter tail moment was observed in animals receiving 1600 mg MTBE /kg b.w. for 28 days. These observations indicate the in vivo susceptibility of mammals to the genetic toxicity potential of MTBE.

Login to Download PDF

Please login with your Paper ID and password to access the full PDF.

🔑 Login to Download