Objective: To study DNA damage and apoptosis induced by chlorination by-product MX of drinking water.
Methods: Single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) and flow cytometry were used to detect DNA damage and apoptosis in human fetal hepatocytes (L-02) treated with MX.
Results: DNA strand breaks were found to increase in L-02 cells treated with MX in a dose-response manner. On treatment levels of 100 and 300 micromol/L, MX led to significant increase of DNA damage in comparison to the solvent controls (DMSO) (P < 0.05, and P < 0.01 respectively). Statistically significant increase of L-02 cell apoptosis were observed in all MX treated groups in comparison to the solvent controls (DMSO) (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Chlorination by-product MX of drinking water could induce obviously DNA damage and apoptosis in L-02 cells.