Study on DNA damage induced by formaldehyde in three eukaryotic cells

Background Formaldehyde is an important indoor air pollutant and its ecotoxicity is not clear so far. Objective To explore its ecotoxicity, we undertook a study on DNA damage in human cervical cancer cell line (Hela cell), isolated mice testicular cells and insect BCIRL-Px_2-HNU_2 cell line (Px cell) induced by formaldehyde. Methods Three types of cells were exposed in various concentrations of liquid formaldehyde and single cell gel electrophoresis was applied to detect DNA breaks. Results As for Hela cells and Px cells, formaldehyde at concentrations of 10 μmol/L significantly induced DNA breaks(P0.01), DNA breaks and DNA cross-links at 30 μmol/L (P0.01), Tail DNA% and Tail moment had no significant difference between formaldehyde group of 50 μmol/L and control group (P0.05). For mice testicular cells, formaldehyde concentrations from 10 μmol/L to 50 μmol/L all led to the significant DNA breaks (P0.05, P0.01). Conclusion Formaldehyde can cause the formation of DNA breaks and crosslinks in different types of cells.