POTENTIAL GENOTOXICITY OF ACETAMIPRID AND PROPINEB SINGLY OR IN COMBINATION IN CULTURED HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES BY USING MN ASSAY

Acetamiprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide, and Propineb, a dithicarbamate fungicide, are used in agriculture singly or in combination with other pesticides. The aim of the study is to investigate the single and combined genotoxic effect two pesticides on cultured human lymphocytes by using the Micronucleus (MN) assay. The lymphocytes were treated with three different concentrations of pesticides singly and in combination (a mix), Acetamiprid (0.625, 1.25, 2.5 mu g mL(-1)) Propineb (12.5, 25, 50 mu g mL(-1)) and Acetamiprid+Propineb (0.625+12.5, 1.25+25, 2.5+50 mu g mL(-1)), for 24 and 48 hours. MN frequency significantly increased at a 48-hour exposure period when the lymphocytes were exposed to the combined pesticides. The data demonstrated that these pesticides may have a synergistic effect and may have potential genotoxic activity in cultured human lymphocytes. Also, it was shown that when they are combined and exposed to lymphocytes these pesticides have a cytotoxic effect.