Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges, cell-cycle delay and chromosomal aberrations by human urine concentrates

Abstract Human urine concentrates, prepared with the use of XAD-2 resin, are shown to be potent inducers of sister-chromatid exchanges, and especially of chromosomal damage and cell-cycle delay in Chinese hamster ovary cells. No indications for differences in mutagenic activity were found between concentrates prepared from the urine of smokers, non-smokers or patients with alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. These effects were obtained without metabolic activation in vitro. Experiments including variations in preparative procedures indicate that a quick saturation of the resin by non-polar compounds from human urine may lead to an underestimation of the amount of mutagenic substances in a given urine sample.