Effects of 5-Fluorouracil, Etoposide and CdCl2 in Aquatic Oligochaeta Limnodrilus udekemianus Claparede (Tubificidae) Measured by Comet Assay

Abstract

Genotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), etoposide (ET) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2) was evaluated in Limnodrilus udekemianus, cosmopolitan tubificid species, by alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Groups of 50 individuals were exposed in vivo in water-only short-term (96 h) tests to 5-FU (0.004, 0.04, 0.4, 4 and 40 mu M), ET (0.004. 0.04, 0.4 and 4 mu M) and CdCl2 (0.004, 0.04, 0.4, 4 and 40 mu M). Mortality of worms was observed only for CdCl2 (4 and 40 mu M). Cell viability lower than 70 % was detected for 5-FU (0.4, 4 and 40 mu M), ET (4 mu M) and CdCl2 (0.4 and 4 mu M). All tested substances induced significant increase of DNA damage except 0.004 mu M of ET. L. udekemianus being sensitive to all tested substances indicates that it can be used in ecogenotoxicology studies. Concern should be raised to cytostatics, especially to 5-FU, since concentration of 0.004 mu M induced DNA damage is similar to ones detected in wastewaters.