[Analysis of the biological effect of city smog extract. I. Cytotoxicity of city smog extract from an urban area and of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on mouse macrophages in vitro (author's transl)].

Abstract

We analyzed the cytotoxic effect of a city smog extract from a large urban area, employing mouse macrophages in vitro. In parallel experiments we tested carcinogenic and non carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: benzo(a)pyrene, 7, 12-dimethylbenzanthracene, pyrene and anthracene. City smog extract induced a dose-dependent reduction of cell viability and an alteration in cell membrane permeability. In contrast to city smog extract the carcinogenic and non carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons produced no detectable cytotoxic effects in the dose range we analyzed. Possible implications of the cytotoxic effect of city smog extract on the lung are discussed.