Genotoxicity and cytotoxicity assessment of new ethyl-carbamates with ixodicidal activity

• The genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of two ethyl-carbamates proposed as new ixodicides was evaluated.
• Ethyl-carbamates increased the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes.
• The ethyl-carbamates have cytostatic effects in human lymphocytes.

The mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test was used on the peripheral blood of Wistar rats exposed to two new ethyl-carbamates: ethyl-4-bromophenyl-carbamate (LQM 919) and ethyl-4-chlorophenyl-carbamate (LQM 996) to analyze their genotoxic potential. The mitotic index and cell proliferation kinetics in human lymphocyte cultures in the presence of these ethyl-carbamates were used to evaluate cytotoxicity and cytostaticity respectively. Exposure to greater acute doses (300 mg/kg) and to all of the subchronic doses (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg daily for 90 days) of these ethyl-carbamates induced an increased frequency (p < 0.05) of micro-nucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MN-PCE) compared with rats not exposed to the ethyl-carbamates. Increases in MN-PCE was higher in males than in females exposed to LQM 996 50 mg/Kg (p < 0.05). All observed changes in rats return 21 days after suspending ethyl-carbamate exposure. The highest concentration (0.3 mM) of both ethyl-carbamates in lymphocyte cultures increased the percentage of cells in first division metaphase and decreased the percentage of cells in third division metaphase, indicating an increase in cell cycle length or a possible cell cycle arrest in metaphase (cytostatic effect). The results of this study show that the evaluated ethyl-carbamates may induce genotoxic damage in rats and alterations in the human lymphocyte cell cycle.