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EC number: 205-760-9 | CAS number: 150-46-9
- Life Cycle description
- Uses advised against
- Endpoint summary
- Appearance / physical state / colour
- Melting point / freezing point
- Boiling point
- Density
- Particle size distribution (Granulometry)
- Vapour pressure
- Partition coefficient
- Water solubility
- Solubility in organic solvents / fat solubility
- Surface tension
- Flash point
- Auto flammability
- Flammability
- Explosiveness
- Oxidising properties
- Oxidation reduction potential
- Stability in organic solvents and identity of relevant degradation products
- Storage stability and reactivity towards container material
- Stability: thermal, sunlight, metals
- pH
- Dissociation constant
- Viscosity
- Additional physico-chemical information
- Additional physico-chemical properties of nanomaterials
- Nanomaterial agglomeration / aggregation
- Nanomaterial crystalline phase
- Nanomaterial crystallite and grain size
- Nanomaterial aspect ratio / shape
- Nanomaterial specific surface area
- Nanomaterial Zeta potential
- Nanomaterial surface chemistry
- Nanomaterial dustiness
- Nanomaterial porosity
- Nanomaterial pour density
- Nanomaterial photocatalytic activity
- Nanomaterial radical formation potential
- Nanomaterial catalytic activity
- Endpoint summary
- Stability
- Biodegradation
- Bioaccumulation
- Transport and distribution
- Environmental data
- Additional information on environmental fate and behaviour
- Ecotoxicological Summary
- Aquatic toxicity
- Endpoint summary
- Short-term toxicity to fish
- Long-term toxicity to fish
- Short-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Long-term toxicity to aquatic invertebrates
- Toxicity to aquatic algae and cyanobacteria
- Toxicity to aquatic plants other than algae
- Toxicity to microorganisms
- Endocrine disrupter testing in aquatic vertebrates – in vivo
- Toxicity to other aquatic organisms
- Sediment toxicity
- Terrestrial toxicity
- Biological effects monitoring
- Biotransformation and kinetics
- Additional ecotoxological information
- Toxicological Summary
- Toxicokinetics, metabolism and distribution
- Acute Toxicity
- Irritation / corrosion
- Sensitisation
- Repeated dose toxicity
- Genetic toxicity
- Carcinogenicity
- Toxicity to reproduction
- Specific investigations
- Exposure related observations in humans
- Toxic effects on livestock and pets
- Additional toxicological data
Endpoint summary
Administrative data
Key value for chemical safety assessment
Genetic toxicity in vitro
Description of key information
Bacterial reverse mutation:
Multiple studies exist with useful data on the potential of ethanol to cause reverse mutation in the commonly used bacterial strains (Ames test) both with and without metabolic activation. Testing is frequently done in association with the use of ethanol as an ‘inert’ vehicle in the testing of other chemicals. Test results are frequently available for tests up to a plate concentration of 10mg/plate. There is no evidence of mutagenicity in the strains TA97, TA98, TA100, TA104, TA1535, TA1537, TA1538).
In a non-standard bacterial forward mutation assay using E coli, ethanol was found to be genotoxic but only at the same concentrations of 15 -20% by volume that were also associated with profound cytotoxicity. Testing was only carried out without metabolic activation. Bearing in mind the massive concentration at which this result was seen and the conjunction with cytotoxicity leads to the conclusion that genotoxicity is not an important characteristic of ethanol. In an assessment of the potential mutagenic potential of ethanol, DNA proficient and deficient strains of E coli bacteria were used in a DNA repair assay. A liquid micromethod procedure to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration was used along with two other techniques (a spot test and treat-and-plate method). Test were carried out both with and without metabolic activation. The liquid micromethod (with and without metabolic activation and the spot test both gave negative results as did the treat-and-plate method without metabolic activation. The reported result with the latter with metabolic activation was equivocal, but there was insufficient information available to judge the significance of this.
Of particular interest as a summary of the genotoxicity of ethanol, the results from using ethanol as a vehicle in a number of guideline reverse bacterial mutation (Ames) assays was reported. Ethanol as a control vehicle, was used in the Salmonells/microsome test at 200 ul/plate in the plate incorporation assay and up to 100 ul/plate in the pre-incubation assay, the latter being equivalent to 79 mg/plate, or approximately 16 times the normal maximum recommended dose level of 5 mg/plate used in regulatory mutagenicity tests. In 1998 it was used as the vehicle for 18 test materials. The mean, minimum and maximum frequencies of revertant colonies for the ethanol vehicle control plates were all comparable to the 1998 vehicle control history profile (320 -340 assays) for all vehicle controls used at this testing laboratory.
Overall, it can be concluded with confidence that ethanol is not mutagenic to bacteria.
Clastogenicity
The clastogenic potential of ethanol has been examined in a number of assays and using a number of different mammalian cell lines, a number of which are reported in this dossier. Concentrations tested are usually very high (eg 1-5%), well in excess of those normally recommended and results are generally negative. Where positive results are reported, these are close to or exceed the normal maximum recommended concentrations for guideline studies. Many studies, typical of most, are usually incomplete because metabolic activation is not used.
In a review of the genotoxicity of ethanol, the results from using ethanol as a vehicle in a number of guideline clastogenicity (chromosome abberation) in vivo assays were reported for two cell lines (human lymphocytes and Chinese hamster lung). As a control vehicle, ethanol was used in the guideline tests at doses of 1%, well in excess of the maximum dose normally recommended for use. In 1998 across the two cell lines, it was used as the vehicle for 19 test materials without metabolic activation and 11 with. The mean, minimum and maximum frequencies of revertant colonies for the ethanol vehicle control plates were all comparable to the 1997 vehicle control history profile (145 assays) for all vehicle controls used at this laboratory during this year.
From the evidence, it can be concluded that there is little evidence for the clastogenicity of ethanol in vitro.
Mammalian cell mutation
Two similar cell mutation studies using mouse lymphoma lymphoma cells in the TK forward mutation assay reported similar results; ethanol was found to be non mutagenic with and without metabolic activation at very high doses up to and including those that cause significant cytotoxicity (typically in the region 0.3 -0.6M. In a mammalian cell mutation study using S49 mouse lymphoma lymphoma cells that monitored simultaneously selection for ouabain, 6-TG and dexamethasone resistance, ethanol was found to be non mutagenic with activation at a dose of 0.17M.
In a review of the genotoxicity of ethanol, the results from using ethanol as a vehicle in an in vitro guideline mammalian gene mutation assay was reported. As a control vehicle, ethanol was used in the guideline tests at a dose of 1%, well in excess of the maximum dose normally recommended for use. The mean, minimum and maximum mutation frequencies for the ethanol vehicle control plates were all comparable to the pooled results from 20 previous vehicle controls used.
The results from guideline gene mutation assays with ethanol are universally negative. In a study using the more recently developed CBMN (Cytokinesis Blocked Micronucleus) Assay - yet to become guideline, ethanol in the absence of metabolic activation, was found to cause a statistically significant increase in numerical chromosome alterations (aneuploidy) at concentrations above 3mg/ml or 0.067M). In contrast, when the metabolite acetaldehyde was tested, it cause chromosomal alterations (clastogenicity) at concentrations of <0.04mg/ml. It should be noted that the maximum recommended dose for testing chemicals in current standard in vitro protocols is 5mg/ml or 0.01M, which this study clearly exceeded in a number of the tested doses of ethanol.
Link to relevant study records
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in mammalian cells
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Study period:
- 1988
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Acceptable, study with sufficient detailed documentation to demonstrate that study meets basic scientific principles and contains enough detail to be able to judge the results reliable as a contribution to the understanding of the genotoxic potential of this substance.
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 476 (In Vitro Mammalian Cell Gene Mutation Test)
- Deviations:
- no
- Remarks:
- , no significant deviations noted
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Method: other: Clive et al. (Muta Res, 59, 61, 1979) with some minor modifications to reduce experiment time and plating efficiency. Study examined a large number of chemicals.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- mammalian cell gene mutation assay
- Target gene:
- TK forward mutation
- Species / strain / cell type:
- mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
- Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- - Type and identity of media: Fisher's medium with 10% horse serum, adjusted to pH 7.2
- Source: Boroughs Welcome Co, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Periodically "cleansed" against high spontaneous background: yes by treatement with thymidine, hypoxanthine, methotrexate and glycine - Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
- not specified
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- Liver S9 from Sprague-Dawley rat livers, animals pre-treated with Aroclor 1254.
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- 0.092, 0.184, 0.369, 0.553, 0.738 mol/l without activation; 0.414, 0.465 and 0.517 mol/l with activation
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- not specified
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- benzo(a)pyrene
- Positive control substance:
- cyclophosphamide
- Positive control substance:
- 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide
- Positive control substance:
- 2-nitrofluorene
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: in medium
DURATION
- Exposure duration: 4 hours
- Expression time (cells in growth medium): 48 hours
- Selection time (if incubation with a selection agent): no data
- Fixation time (start of exposure up to fixation or harvest of cells):
SELECTION AGENT (mutation assays): trifluorothymidine
NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS: 3 per dose level but 6 for negative control.
DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Mitotic index: Not strictly applicable. Total growth cf. controls were 88, 84, 53, 34 and 17% from lowest to highest concentrations in the absence of activation. With activation, total growth was 43, 24, and 6% from lowest to highest concentration. - Evaluation criteria:
- Two fold or greater increase in mutation frequency at 10% or greater total growth cf. controls.
- Statistics:
- Tested for normal distribution and then analysis of variance and 2-tailed Student's t-test against controls.
- Species / strain:
- mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- cytotoxicity
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- not examined
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Additional information on results:
- TEST-SPECIFIC CONFOUNDING FACTORS
- None
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CYTOTOXICITY: see table below
- Frequency of reversions etc: Without activation, mutation index values from lowest to highest dose were 1.3, 1.1, 1.2, 1.1 and 1.6. With metabolic activation these values were 1.1, 1.3 and 1.8.
- Dose-effect related observations: No dose-effect related observations were seen. - Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative
Ethanol is judged not to have significant mutagenic activity in this system. - Executive summary:
In a mammalian cell mutation study using mouse lymphoma lymphoma cells in the TK forward mutation assay, ethanol was found to be non mutagenic with and without metabolic activation at very high doses up to and including those that cause significant cytotoxicity (typically in the region 0.3 -0.5M.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- key study
- Study period:
- 1992
- Reliability:
- 1 (reliable without restriction)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Published study but containing sufficient details to be able to judge it reliable for hazard assessment. Part of a programme of work by the NTP. Data tables available for results. TA102 not included.
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
- Deviations:
- no
- Remarks:
- , no significant deviations noted
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Preincubation as per method of Haworth (Env Mutagen, 5 suppl 1, 3-142, 1983)
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- bacterial reverse mutation assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 1535
- Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- - Type and identity of media:
- Culture prepared at 37C overnight with shaking in Oxoid #2 broth or in defined minimal medium supplemented with biotin and histidine. Phenotype analysed at time of use. - Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 97
- Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- - Type and identity of media:
- Culture prepared at 37C overnight with shaking in Oxoid #2 broth or in defined minimal medium supplemented with biotin and histidine. Phenotype analysed at time of use. - Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 98
- Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- - Type and identity of media:
- Culture prepared at 37C overnight with shaking in Oxoid #2 broth or in defined minimal medium supplemented with biotin and histidine. Phenotype analysed at time of use. - Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 100
- Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- - Type and identity of media:
- Culture prepared at 37C overnight with shaking in Oxoid #2 broth or in defined minimal medium supplemented with biotin and histidine. Phenotype analysed at time of use. - Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium, other: TA104
- Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- - Type and identity of media:
- Culture prepared at 37C overnight with shaking in Oxoid #2 broth or in defined minimal medium supplemented with biotin and histidine. Phenotype analysed at time of use. - Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- Aroclor 1254 induced male SD rat at 10 and 30% and male Syrian hamster liver S9 fraction, at 10 and 30%.
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- 1; (3; 10; 33;)100; 333; 1,000; 3,333; 10,000 microgram/plate. Concentrations in brackets only tested with TA97 using 30% hamster S9.
- Vehicle / solvent:
- water
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- Remarks:
- water
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- other: 2-aminoanthracene, used for all strains with metabolic activation
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- other: 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine, used for TA98 without metabolic activation
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- 9-aminoacridine
- Remarks:
- Migrated to IUCLID6: used for TA97 without metabolic activation.
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- sodium azide
- Remarks:
- Migrated to IUCLID6: used for TA1535 and T100 without metabolic activation.
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- methylmethanesulfonate
- Remarks:
- Migrated to IUCLID6: used for TA104 without metabolic activation.
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: preincubation
DURATION
- Preincubation period: 20 mins at 37C
- Expression time (cells in growth medium): 2 days at 37C
NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS: 5 plus complete repeat of experiment.
DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Dose range for main test assessed using TA100. Toxic concentrations defined as those producing a decrease in the background number of his+ colonies and/or a clearing in the background lawn. If no toxicity was seen, the maximum dose tested was 10000ug/plate
Evaluation criteria
Only considered non mutagenic if negative in all strains with and without activation and with both S9 extracts at both concentrations - Evaluation criteria:
- Combination of magnitude of increase in number of his+ revertants and shape of dose-response curve.
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 1535
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 100
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 98
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 97
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium, other: TA104
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Additional information on results:
- TEST-SPECIFIC CONFOUNDING FACTORS
- None - Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative
Ethanol failed to induce reversions in any S. typhimurium tester strain with or without metabolic activation over a wide range of doses up to 10 mg/plate. - Executive summary:
In a reverse mutation assay in bacteria strains TA97, TA98, TA100, TA104 and TA1535 there was no evidence of mutation up to a maximum plate concentration of 10mg/plate with and without metabolic activation systems derived from two species (rat and hamster) used at two different concentrations.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in mammalian cells
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1980
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Well reported study with sufficient information to judge it as a reliable contribution to the understanding of the mutagenicity of ethanol. Not tested with metablic activation.
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 476 (In Vitro Mammalian Cell Gene Mutation Test)
- Deviations:
- not specified
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Method: other
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- mammalian cell gene mutation assay
- Target gene:
- TK Locus
- Species / strain / cell type:
- other: Mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells, TK +/-
- Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- - Periodically checked for phenotypic stability: yes
- Periodically checked for Mycoplasma contamination: yes - Metabolic activation:
- without
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- Up to 7.79 x 10-1 M (equivalent to ca. 35.9 mg/ml)
- Untreated negative controls:
- no
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- no
- Remarks:
- ethanol was being tested as a solvent.
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Remarks:
- (10 noncarcinogens and 13 putative animal carcinogens were tested)
- Positive control substance:
- ethylmethanesulphonate
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- DURATION
- Frequency of dosing: once
NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS: 3 plates each and two controls.
DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Cytotoxicity test: 6x10E5 cells/ml suspension, 5 log range of concentrations used as range finder. Estimated ID50 used as median dose for main study.
- Protocol: 3 hours treatment followed by cell washing. Cell counts at 24 and 48 hours.
- Mutagenicity test protocol: As cytotoxicity test then split with cells resuspended in soft agar cloning medium, with or without trifluorothymidine.
METHOD OF APPLICATION: in medium
DURATION
- Exposure duration: 3hr
OTHER: method of analysis: scintillation counting - Evaluation criteria:
- Gene mutation at the thymidine kinase (TK) locus in trifluorothymidine-resistant L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells.
- Species / strain:
- mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
- Metabolic activation:
- without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- cytotoxicity
- Remarks:
- IC10~2%, IC50 ~6% v/v
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not applicable
- Remarks on result:
- other: other: Mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells, TK +/-
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative without metabolic activation - Executive summary:
In a mammalian cell mutation study using mouse lymphoma lymphoma cells in the TK forward mutation assay, ethanol was found to be non mutagenic without metabolic activation at very high doses up to and including those that cause significant cytotoxicity (typically in the region 0.4 -0.6M.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1982
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Spot testing with confirmatory incorporation testing with 4 positive controls indicates a valid study. However, there is no mention of Good Laboratory Practice.
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
- Deviations:
- yes
- Remarks:
- , only a single concentration tested.
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- This was part of a wider study on the mutagenic potential of ingredients used in cosmetics. Ethanol was one of the solvents used and this record reports the testing done on the vehicles before the main study was completed.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- bacterial reverse mutation assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 1538
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- Aroclor 1254 induced rat liver S9, 50ul/plate
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- 100 microlitre
- Vehicle / solvent:
- None. Comparison made with distilled water.
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- sodium azide
- Remarks:
- Positive control in water for TA1535 and TA100 without metabolic activation at 50ug/plate.
- Positive control substance:
- 9-aminoacridine
- Remarks:
- Positive control in ethanol for TA1537 without metabolic activation at 50ug/plate.
- Positive control substance:
- other: 4-nitro-o-phenyene diamine
- Remarks:
- Positive control in DMSO for TA1538 and TA98 without metabolic activation at 50ug/plate.
- Positive control substance:
- other: 2-aminoantrhacene
- Remarks:
- Positive control in DMSO for all strains with metabolic activation at 5ug/plate.
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: in agar (plate incorporation).
Salmonella/microsomal assays were carried out by making post-mitochondiral preparations from livers of male Sprague-Dawley rats induced with Aroclor 1254. Reversion of all strains by 5 microgram/plate of the promutagen 2-aminoanthracene was included in each assay system. - Evaluation criteria:
- Positive if there was a significant and reproducible increase in the number of colonies on the plate compared to controls. Colonies with a diameter of 0.2mm only counted.
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Remarks on result:
- other: other: Salmonella typhimurium/microsome test
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative
No evidence of mutagenicity was observed for ethanol with and without S9 mix. - Executive summary:
In study that examined the potential for mutagenicity of a number of cosmetic product ingredients, ethanol was used as one of the vehicles for the test substances in a bacterial reversion mutation assay (Ames test). Testing of the vehicle controls against distilled water and untreated plates showed no evidence of mutagenicity with and without metabolic activation at a dose of 100ul ethanol per plate in any of the strains tested (TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, TA1538).
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1983
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Acceptably documented study which meets basic scientific principles The study gave the results expected for positive controls and ethanol evaluated as a solvent to a positive control gave negative results with and without S-9 mix. However, there is no mention of Good Laboratory Practice.
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
- Deviations:
- yes
- Remarks:
- , only a single concentration tested.
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Study examined the potential for mutagenicity of the active ingredient of cannabis in the presence of known mutagens. Ethanol solutions were used and the results of the latter are reported here.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- bacterial reverse mutation assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 1538
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- Rat liver S9, purchased from Bionetics Laboratories.
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- 100 microlitre
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- 9-aminoacridine
- Remarks:
- the positive substance used in ethanol solution in this study. Only used with TA1537 as the positive control without S9 at 50ug per plate.
- Positive control substance:
- other: 2-aminoanthracene
- Remarks:
- Used in DMSO as the positive control for all strains with S9 at 5ug per plate.
- Positive control substance:
- other: 4-nitro-o-phenylene diamine
- Remarks:
- Used in DMSO as the positive control for TA1538 and TA98 without S9 at 50ug per plate.
- Positive control substance:
- sodium azide
- Remarks:
- Used in DMSO as the positive control for TA1535 and TA100 without S9 at 50ug per plate.
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: in agar (plate incorporation);
Different concentrations of 9 delta-tetrahydrocannabinol and positive mutagen controls were added in 0.1 ml proportions together with 0.1 ml of a 16 hr nutrient broth culture of the bacterial test strain or 0.1 ml of the culture and 0.5 ml of S-9 mix. These were then poured onto minimal glucose agar plates to form an even layer across the agar.
NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS: Duplicate plates were made for each strain and plates were incubated for 48 hr at 37 degree C. Colonies were counted on a Quebec colony counter. Background lawn and unreverted bacteria were evaluated by microscopy. Appropriate control combinations and growth study plates were prepared. - Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not specified
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 1538
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not specified
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'. Remarks: Salmonella typhimurium LT2 strains
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative
No evidence of mutagenicity was observed in the absence or presence of S9 mix. - Executive summary:
In study that examined the potential for mutagenicity of the active ingredient of cannabis in the presence of known mutagens ethanol was used as one of the vehicles for the test substances in a bacterial reversion mutation assay (Ames test). Testing of the vehicle controls against distilled water and untreated plates showed no evidence of mutagenicity with and without metabolic activation at a dose of 100ul ethanol per plate in any of the strains tested (TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, TA1538).
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1984
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Acceptably documented study which meets basic scientific principles and contains sufficient detail to be able to judge the results reliable as a contribution to the understanding of the mutagenic potential of this substance
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
- Deviations:
- yes
- Remarks:
- , different bacterial strains used
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- bacterial reverse mutation assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 97
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 102
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- Liver S9 fraction from Aroclor 1254 pre-treated Sprague-Dawley rats.
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- up to 160mg/plate
- Vehicle / solvent:
- no data
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Remarks:
- other compounds tested in assay
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- no
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- other: sodium dichromate, acridine derivative ICR 191, phenylhydrazine, hydrogen peroxide.
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: in agar (plate incorporation) (as derived in Maron and Ames - 1983. Muta Res 113, 1-73).
- Evaluation criteria:
- Mutagenic potential expressed by dividing number of revertants in excess of controls by corresponding amount of compound in moles.
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 97
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not specified
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not specified
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 102
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- ambiguous
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not specified
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not specified
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
ambiguous
Negative in strain TA97, ambiguous in strain TA102 - Executive summary:
As part of a study of the genotoxic activity and potency of 135 compounds, ethanol was evaluated in a bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) assay using the plate incorporation method and both in the presence and absenceof metabolic activation. Strains tested were TA97 and TA102. There was no evidence of mutagenicity in the TA97 strain. A reproducible increase in revertants over controls was seen in TA102 but this was less than two-fold increase which is not normally considered to be biologically significant in the Ames test. It was unclear if this result was obtained with or without metabolic activation (or with both.). The mutagenic potential (based on most severe response seen with or without metabolic activation in either strain) was 0.00005 revertants/nmole, which can be considered very low. The authors tentatively classified ethanol as an uncertain or questionable mutagen based on this result. However, considering the response against the high dose used (160 mg/plate) suggests that this is an excessively conservative conclusion and that the balance of evidence points to a negative rather than an ambiguous result.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1984
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Acceptably documented study which meets basic scientific principles. Consistency of results in the two tests for 71% of the substances tested together with an overall predictive accuracy of 64.5% for the reversion test in 75 compounds classified for their carcinogenic activity, demonstrated the validity of this study on comparability of methods. This study is considered to be valid with restrictions.
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- bacterial reverse mutation assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 1538
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- S9 mix contained 10% liver S9 fractions from Sprague-Dawley rats pre-treated with Aroclor 1254.
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- Tested to "toxicity limit" (not defined).
- Untreated negative controls:
- no
- Remarks:
- many other substances evaluated in same study.
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- no
- Remarks:
- many other substances evaluated in same study.
- True negative controls:
- no
- Remarks:
- many other substances evaluated in same study.
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- benzo(a)pyrene
- Positive control substance:
- cyclophosphamide
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: in agar (plate incorporation)
Ethanol tested in revised plate incorporation test as described in Maron, D.M. & Ames, B.N. (1983) Revised methods for the Salmonella mutagenicity test, Mutation Res. 113; 173-215. - Evaluation criteria:
- Mutagenicity potency was expressed by dividing the number of revertants in excess of controls by the corresponding amount of ethanol in moles. A ratio of more than 2 between the MIC's in repair proficient (rep+) and -deficient (rep-) strains was considered to be sufficient.
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not specified
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 1538
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not specified
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative - Executive summary:
As part of a study of the genotoxic activity and potency of 135 compounds, ethanol was evaluated in a bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) assay using the plate incorporation method and both in the presence and absenceof metabolic activation. Strains tested were TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537 and TA1538. There was no evidence of mutagenicity in any of the complete battery of strains tested.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro DNA damage and/or repair study
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: DNA damage and/or repair
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1984
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Acceptably documented study which meets basic scientific principles. Consistency of results in the two tests for 71% of the substances tested together with an overall predictive accuracy of 72.4% for the DNA-repair test in 75 compounds classified for their carcinogenic activity, demonstrated the validity of this study on comparability of methods. TRhis study is considered to be valid with restrictions.
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- EPA OPPTS 870.5500 - Bacterial DNA Damage or Repair Tests
- Deviations:
- yes
- Remarks:
- , different bacterial strains used
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Procedure similar to that of Kada (Report of the International Collaboration Program, progress in Mutation Research, Vol 1, Elsevier, 1980) using B Subtilis in the recombination assay system and McCarrol (Env Mutagen, 3, 429, 1981) using various strains of E Coli.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- other: see principles of method below
- Species / strain / cell type:
- E. coli WP2
- Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- repair proficient
- Species / strain / cell type:
- E. coli, other: WP67 (uvrA-, polA) and CM871 (uvrA- recA)
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- S9 mix contained 10% liver S9 fractions from Sprague-Dawley rats pre-treated with Aroclor 1254.
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- Tested to "toxicity limit" (not defined).
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- no
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- benzo(a)pyrene
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- no
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- Bacterial growht was visually evaluated aft 16 hours at 37C by observing the increase in turbidity or the formation of a pellet of settled cells at the bottom of the test wells. Growth of bacterial colonies on agar plates was checked after an additional 8-24 hours incubation at 37C.
- Evaluation criteria:
- Mutagenicity potency was expressed by dividing the number of revertants in excess of controls by the corresponding amount of ethanol in moles. A ratio of more than 2 between the MIC's in repair proficient (rep+) and -deficient (rep-) strains was considered to be sufficient.
- Species / strain:
- E. coli, other: WP2 (repair proficient), WP67 (uvrA-, polA) and CM871 (uvrA- recA)
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not examined
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative - Executive summary:
In an assessment of the potential mutagenic potential of ethanol, DNA proficient and deficient strains of E coli bacteria were used in a DNA repair assay. A liquid micromethod procedure to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration was used along with two other techniques (a spot test and treat-and-plate method). Test were carried out both with and without metabolic activation. The liquid micromethod (with and without metabolic activation and the spot test both gave negative results as did the treat-and-plate method without metabolic activation. The reported result with the latter with metabolic activation was equivocal, but there was insufficient information available to judge the significance of this.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in mammalian cells
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1983
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Acceptable, study with sufficient detailed documentation to demonstrate that study meets basic scientific principles and contains enough detail to be able to judge the results reliable as a contribution to the understanding of the genotoxic potential of this substance.
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 476 (In Vitro Mammalian Cell Gene Mutation Test)
- Deviations:
- yes
- Remarks:
- , different cell line
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- The mutagenic action is monitored by simultaneous selection for ouabain, 6-TG and dexamethasone resistance.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- mammalian cell gene mutation assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- mammalian cell line, other: S49 mouse lymphoma
- Metabolic activation:
- with
- Metabolic activation system:
- S9
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- 1% (0.17M)
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- not specified
- True negative controls:
- not specified
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- benzo(a)pyrene
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with 4.5g glucose/l, heat inactivated horse serum and fetal calf serum, Bacto Agar, ICR 191 and ethanol ex Sigma. S49.1 ML cells from P Coffino, San Francisco, originally isolated by Horibata and Harris (1970). Cells grown in stationary medium without antibiotics at 37 degree C in a humidified CO2 incubator. Freshly cloned cultures frozen at -80C. Stock cultures frequently discarded and repaced with thawed frozen ones to prevent build up of mutants.
STAIN: Cells stained with trypan blue for counting.
DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Method: 4 hour treatment. Cells (6x10E6/dose) centrifuged and re-suspended in medium containing S9. Maximum solvent concentration 1%. - Evaluation criteria:
- Criteria for positive result: survival >=40%, factor by which frequency elevated compared to control >3, frequency of 6-TG mutants elevated against controls.
- Species / strain:
- mammalian cell line, other: see below.
- Metabolic activation:
- with
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- no cytotoxicity
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not examined
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Additional information on results:
- TEST-SPECIFIC CONFOUNDING FACTORS
- Mean and standard deviation of control: 104 +/- 9
- Elevation of mutant freq. compared to control: 0
- Mutant frequency: 0
- Surviving fraction: 100%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CYTOTOXICITY: The dexamethasone resistance marker was induced at the highest frequency and was expressed within 3 days after mutagenesis. Ethanol had no effect on the mutagenesis of this marker. - Remarks on result:
- other: other: S49 mouse lymphoma cells
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative with metabolic activation - Executive summary:
In a mammalian cell mutation study using S49 mouse lymphoma lymphoma cells in an assay that monitored simultaneously selection for ouabain, 6-TG and dexamethasone resistance, ethanol was found to be non mutagenic with metabolic activation at a dose of 0.17M.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1985
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Acceptable, study with sufficient basic documentation to demonstrate that study meets basic scientific principles and contains enough detail to be able to judge the results reliable as a supporting study. Results only available in graphical form. No positive control.
- Qualifier:
- no guideline followed
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- RK forward mutation assay.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- bacterial forward mutation assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- E. coli, other: Escherichia coli RK+ (replicative killing competent strain CHY832)
- Details on mammalian cell type (if applicable):
- no further data
- Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
- other: see method description
- Metabolic activation:
- without
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- 11 to 23% v/v
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- Remarks:
- (with and without DMSO at 20%)
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- no
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: in medium; in agar (plate incorporation); preincubation; in suspension; as impregnation on paper disk
DURATION
- Frequency of Dosing: exposure to ethanol for 10 min before plating.
- No. of metaphases analyzed: Not relevant.
STAIN: The test strain carries a lethal gene (RK+) that is repressed below 39 degree C and derepressed above this temperature. After treatment with ethanol at 30 degree C cells were plated and cultured at 42 degree C to detct RK- mutants.
NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS: 3 per concentration. - Evaluation criteria:
- Positive result when mutation index twice that of control.
- Species / strain:
- E. coli, other: Escherichia coli RK+ (replicative killing competent strain CHY832)
- Metabolic activation:
- without
- Genotoxicity:
- ambiguous
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- cytotoxicity
- Remarks:
- 17% v/v
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- not examined
- Positive controls validity:
- not examined
- Additional information on results:
- TEST-SPECIFIC CONFOUNDING FACTORS
- None.
DOSE-EFFECT RELATED OBSERVATIONS
- All ethanol preparations induced RK- mutants with mutation indices of 2 or more. Steep dose-response curves showed threshold at 18-19% v/v. Steep dose-response curves showed threshold at 19-19% v/v.
FREQUENCY OF REVERSIONS ETC
- All preparations gave mutation indices up to 50 at the highest dose tested.
MITOTIC INDEX
-Not relevant - Remarks on result:
- other: other: Escherichia coli RK+ (replicative killing competent strain CHY832)
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
ambiguous without metabolic activation
Genotoxicity was only seen at the very large doses associated with cytotoxicity. - Executive summary:
In a non-standard bacterial forward mutation assay using E coli, ethanol was found to be genotoxic but only at the same concentrations of 15 -20% by volume that were also associated with profound cytotoxicity. Testing was only carried out without metabolic activation. Bearing in mind the massive concentration at which this result was seen and the conjunction with cytotoxicity leads to the conclusion that genotoxicity is not an important characteristic of ethanol.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro DNA damage and/or repair study
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: DNA damage and/or repair
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1982
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Although conducted to a standard published method this paper does not present method detail in full. However, it contains sufficient basic documentation to demonstrate that study meets basic scientific principles and contains enough information to be able to judge the results reliable as a supporting study. The study is therefore considered to be valid with restrictions.
- Qualifier:
- no guideline followed
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- A differential DNA repair assay using derivatives of E coli K-12 343/113 with the genotype uvrB-/recA- and uvrB+/recA+.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- other: E coli DNA repair host mediated assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- E. coli, other: 343/636 (genotype uvrB+/recA+/lac-) and DNA repair deficient 343/591 (uvrB-/recA-/lac+)
- Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
- other: see method description above.
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- Liver S9 from Aroclor 1254 pretreated male Sprague Dawley rats
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- Up to 1720 mmol/l
- Vehicle / solvent:
- Solvent not specified, but since ethanol was a solvent used for other compounds and a high concentration was used, it is likely no solvent was used.
- Untreated negative controls:
- not specified
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- not specified
- True negative controls:
- not specified
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide
- Remarks:
- Migrated to IUCLID6: (without S9 mix)
- Positive control substance:
- cyclophosphamide
- Positive control substance:
- benzo(a)pyrene
- Positive control substance:
- ethylnitrosurea
- Positive control substance:
- methylmethanesulfonate
- Positive control substance:
- 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide
- Positive control substance:
- 9-aminoacridine
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: For each concentration of test compound 100 ul of test compound or the solvent, 100 ul of bacterial mix and 500 ul S9 mix (where used) were made up to 1 ml with buffered saline. The mixture was incubated at 37 degree C in the dark before seeding NR agar plates.
- Evaluation criteria:
- The relative survival of DNA repair deficient and proficient bacteria were calculated.
- Statistics:
- Confidence interval determined according to the variance of each strain, determined from an experiment with 100 untreated samples. A reduction in number of colonies by 2 standard deviations taken as significant.
- Species / strain:
- E. coli, other: 343/636 (genotype uvrB+/recA+/lac-) and DNA repair deficient 343/591 (uvrB-/recA-/lac+)
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- other: >1720 mmol/l
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not specified
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- not specified
- Positive controls validity:
- other: Of the 7 positive controls used, 5 gave a positive response, 2 gave a negative response.
- Additional information on results:
- Note that the positive controls may not necessarily be true positive controls for this DNA repair assay.
- Remarks on result:
- other: other: 343/636 (genotype uvrB+/recA+/lac-) and DNA repair deficient 343/591 (uvrB-/recA-/lac+)
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative
In both the absence and presence of S9 mix, the high dose of 1720 mmole/l ethanol gave a negative result in DNA repair deficient strain of E. coli. The authors consider this assay to be a good indicator of genotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. - Executive summary:
In a differential DNA repair assay using derivatives of E coli K-12 343/113 with the genotype uvrB-/recA- and uvrB+/recA+, ethanol gave a negative response in both the absence and presence of S9 mix up to and including the highest dose tested of 1720 mmole/l.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro DNA damage and/or repair study
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: DNA damage and/or repair
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: Well reported study but not a standard assay yet in regular use for the assessment of chemicals. Testing at relatively high doses. No positive control.
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- in vitro CBMN assay (Cytokinesis Blocked Micronucleus assay) in conjunction with immunofluorescent labeling of kinetochores.
- GLP compliance:
- no
- Type of assay:
- other: CBMN (Cytokinesis Blocked Micronucleus) Assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- lymphocytes: human lymphoblastoid cell line MCL-5
- Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
- other: high level of native CYP1A1, four other human cytochromes (CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP3A4 and CYP2E1) and microsomal epoxide hydrolase, carried as cDNAs in plasmids.
- Metabolic activation:
- without
- Metabolic activation system:
- Main metabolite acetaldehyde was tested separately in study.
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.0, 2.0 % v/v (0.016 to 0.35M or 0.8 to 16mg/l)
- Vehicle / solvent:
- None
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- no
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: in medium (2E5 cells/ml).
DURATION
- Preincubation period: overnight.
- Exposure duration: 22hrs
CYTOKINESIS BLOCKER: Cytochalasin B.
STAIN (for cytogenetic assays): 20% Giemsa (50% of slides. Remainder stored at -20C for indirect immonofluorescence staining of kinetochores.
NUMBER OF REPLICATIONS: none.
NUMBER OF CELLS EVALUATED: 1000 per slide (2000 per dose) for micronucleus analysis. Up to 100 for kinetochore staining where possible.
DETERMINATION OF CYTOTOXICITY
- Method: % apoptosis and % necrosis. - Evaluation criteria:
- For binucleated cells:
1- Cells should have two nuclei of approximately equal size.
2- Cells should not contain more than 6 MN.
3- The two nuclei may be attached by a fine nucleoplasmic bridge which is no wider than 1/4th of the nuclear diameter.
4- The two nuclei may touch but ideally should not overlap each other.
5- MN should have a diameter between 1/16 and 1/3 that of the main nuclei.
6- MN should not be linked or connected to the main nuclei.
7- MN may sometimes overlap the boundaries of the main nuclei.
8- MN should have the same staining intensity as the main nuclei but occasionally staining may be more intense.
For Apoptosis: Cells showing chromatin condensation with intact cytoplasmic and nuclear boundaries as well as cells exhibiting nuclear fragmentation into smaller nuclear bodies within an intact cytoplasm/cytoplasmic membrane.
For Necrosis: Cells exhibiting a pale cytoplasm with numerous vacuoles and damaged cytoplasmic membrane with a fairly intact nucleus as well as cells exhibiting a loss of cytoplasm and damaged/irregular nuclear membrane with a partially intact nuclear structure. - Statistics:
- Chi squared with Fisher's exact test.
- Species / strain:
- lymphocytes: human lymphoblastoid cell line MCL-5
- Metabolic activation:
- without
- Genotoxicity:
- positive
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- cytotoxicity
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not applicable
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- not examined
- Additional information on results:
- There was a a dose dependent increase in the mean frequency of binucleated cells containing micronuclei. This increase at the top dose was approximately 5 times higher in comparison to the control and was statistically significant (P < 0.05) from the 0.4% dose upwards. The statistical significance never reach p<0.01. There was a corresponding decrease in the mean percentage of binucleated cells which was greatly reduced at the top three doses tested (0.8%, 1.0% and 2.0% v/v). There was no effect on the level of apoptosis but there was a statistically significant increase in necrotic cells (massive at the top dose.)
- Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
other: positive, but at high concentration - Executive summary:
In a study using the in vitro CBMN (Cytokinesis Blocked Micronucleus) Assay, ethanol in the absence of metabolic activation, was found to cause cause a statistically significant increase in numerical chromosome alterations (aneuploidy) at concentrations above 3mg/ml or 0.067M). In contrast, when the metabolite acetaldehyde was tested, it cause chromosomal alterations (clastogenicity) at concentrations of <0.04mg/ml. It should be noted that the maximum recommended dose for testing chemicals in current standard in vitro protocols is 5mg/ml or 0.01M, which this study clearly exceeds in a number of the tested doses.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 1975
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Acceptably documented study which meets basic scientific principles. The methodology of this test is now accepted and repeatedly used as a standard in vitro test for mutagenicity. It is considered robust for detecting environmental carcinogens. This is however only a summary publication that does not included detailed results and therefore can only be regarded as a supporting study. Not all strains normally tested are reported.
- Qualifier:
- equivalent or similar to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
- Deviations:
- yes
- Remarks:
- , only two bacterial strains tested.
- GLP compliance:
- not specified
- Type of assay:
- bacterial reverse mutation assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 98
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 100
- Metabolic activation:
- with
- Metabolic activation system:
- rat liver S9
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- Not specified for this compound but typically 10, 100, 500, 1000 microgram/plate. (10,000 known also to have been tested).
- Untreated negative controls:
- yes
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- not specified
- True negative controls:
- not specified
- Positive controls:
- yes
- Positive control substance:
- benzo(a)pyrene
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 98
- Metabolic activation:
- with
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not specified
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not specified
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 100
- Metabolic activation:
- with
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not specified
- Vehicle controls validity:
- not specified
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- valid
- Positive controls validity:
- valid
- Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'. Remarks: Salmonella/microsome
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative - Executive summary:
As part of a study of the mutagenic potential of 300 chemicals, ethanol was evaluated in a bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) assay at a plate concentration of up to 10mg/plate in the presence of metabolic activation. There was no evidence of mutagenicity in either of the two strains examined (TA98, TA100). . It should be noted that only two of the normal four bacterial strains were evaluated, so the study cannot be regarded as complete or definitive.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in bacteria
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: gene mutation
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 2001
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- The publication cited is a review of the genotoxicity of ethanol. Within the review, data is cited from a number of GLP guideline studies that used ethanol as a vehicle. Whilst experimental detail is lacking from the primary publication, the background control data it refers to can be considered highly reliable
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 471 (Bacterial Reverse Mutation Assay)
- Deviations:
- not specified
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Data that is referred to in the publication is clearly carried out to guideline.
- GLP compliance:
- yes
- Type of assay:
- bacterial reverse mutation assay
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
- Species / strain / cell type:
- S. typhimurium TA 102
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- S9
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- 100ul/plate in pre-incubation assays and 200ul/plate in plate incorporation assays
- Vehicle / solvent:
- For comparison, the results from all other vehicle results are compared.
- Untreated negative controls:
- no
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- no
- Details on test system and experimental conditions:
- METHOD OF APPLICATION: in agar (plate incorporation) and preincubation assays recorded
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 1535, TA 1537, TA 98 and TA 100
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- not examined
- Positive controls validity:
- not examined
- Species / strain:
- S. typhimurium TA 102
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not determined
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- not examined
- Positive controls validity:
- not examined
- Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative - Executive summary:
In a review of the genotoxicity of ethanol, the results from using ethanol as a vehicle in a number of guideline reverse bacterial mutation (Ames) assays was reported. As a control vehicle, was used in the Salmonells/microsome test at 200 ul/plate in the plate incorporation assay and up to 100 ul/plate in the pre-incubation assay, the latter being equivalent to 79 mg/plate, or approximately 16 times the normal maximum recommended dose level of 5 mg/plate used in regulatory mutagenicity tests. In 1998 it was used as the vehicle for 18 test materials. The mean, minimum and maximum frequencies of revertant colonies for the ethanol vehicle control plates were all comparable to the 1998 vehicle control history profile (320 -340 assays) for all vehicle controls used at Safepharm Laboratories in this year.
- Endpoint:
- in vitro gene mutation study in mammalian cells
- Remarks:
- Type of genotoxicity: chromosome aberration
- Type of information:
- experimental study
- Adequacy of study:
- supporting study
- Study period:
- 2001
- Reliability:
- 2 (reliable with restrictions)
- Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:
- other: see 'Remark'
- Remarks:
- Not a directly reported study but information contained within a comprehensive review of the genotoxic potential of ethanol. Sufficient basic information is provided (including numberical results, to judge this as a contribution to understanding of the genotoxic potential of ethanol. Since the information is also a collation information from of a number of studies carried out to both guideline and GLP, it can be considered highly reliable.
- Qualifier:
- according to guideline
- Guideline:
- OECD Guideline 476 (In Vitro Mammalian Cell Gene Mutation Test)
- Deviations:
- not specified
- Principles of method if other than guideline:
- Information from the use of ethanol as a solvent in guideline and GLP assessments of other chemicals.
- GLP compliance:
- yes
- Remarks:
- no data
- Type of assay:
- in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test
- Species / strain / cell type:
- mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
- Additional strain / cell type characteristics:
- not specified
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Metabolic activation system:
- S9
- Test concentrations with justification for top dose:
- Dose of 1% (100ul/10ml) used as part of a vehicle solvent.
- Vehicle / solvent:
- No
- Untreated negative controls:
- no
- Negative solvent / vehicle controls:
- yes
- Remarks:
- Control data is control vehicle for all studies carried out at the laboratory.
- True negative controls:
- no
- Positive controls:
- no
- Positive control substance:
- not specified
- Remarks:
- Migrated to IUCLID6: not reported
- Species / strain:
- mouse lymphoma L5178Y cells
- Metabolic activation:
- with and without
- Genotoxicity:
- negative
- Cytotoxicity / choice of top concentrations:
- not specified
- Vehicle controls validity:
- valid
- Untreated negative controls validity:
- not examined
- Positive controls validity:
- not examined
- Additional information on results:
- The values obtained for ethanol as a vehicle control are within the range of mutation frequencies found for all other inert vehicles.
- Remarks on result:
- other: all strains/cell types tested
- Remarks:
- Migrated from field 'Test system'.
- Conclusions:
- Interpretation of results (migrated information):
negative
Ethanol does not show significant mutation potential in a mammalian cell line when used at a dose in excess of those normally recommended in the OECD guideline. - Executive summary:
In a review of the genotoxicity of ethanol, the results from using ethanol as a vehicle in an in vitro guideline mammalian gene mutation assay was reported. As a control vehicle, ethanol was used in the guideline tests at a dose of 1%, well in excess of the maximum dose normally recommended for use. The mean, minimum and maximum mutation frequencies for the ethanol vehicle control plates were all comparable to the pooled results from 20 previous vehicle controls used at Safepharm Laboratories.
Referenceopen allclose all
Only at the maximum concentration, with metabolic activation was total growth <10% control. Without activation, the lowest and highest concentrations of ethanol produced statistically significant increases in mutation frequency.
Without metabolic activation
Concentration (mols/litre) | Total growth | Mutation frequency | Mutation index |
0 | 100% | 80, 99 | 1.0 |
0.0922 | 88% | 118* | 1.3 |
0.184 | 84% | 94 | 1.1 |
0.369 | 53% | 104 | 1.2 |
0.553 | 34% | 101 | 1.1 |
0.738 | 17% | 140** | 1.6 |
With metabolic activation
Concentration (mols/litre) | Total growth | Mutation frequency | Mutation index |
0 | 100% | 63, 46 | 1.0 |
0.414 | 43% | 62 | 1. |
0.465 | 24% | 70 | 1.3 |
0.517 | 6% | 97** | 1.8 |
*significant, ** highly significant
Rates of spontaneous mutation frequencies in study: without metabolic activation 76 +/-25, with metabolic activation 86 +/-33.
Results are supported by those of Amacher, D., et al. (1980) Mutat. Res. 72:447 -474
Dose-effected related observations: Ethanol at any dose did not produce a 2-fold increase in his+ revertants in the absence or presence of rat or hamster liver extracts.
Ethanol results
Concentration (molarity) | Cell survival | Mutants/10E4 survivors |
0 | 100% | 0.73 |
0.173 | 91% | 0.69 |
0.26 | 82% | 0.77 |
0.346 | 81% | 0.81 |
0.433 | 75% | 0.74 |
0.52 | 63% | 0.92 |
6.06 | 52% | 0.68 |
6.93 | 36% | 0.60 |
7.79 | 3% | 0.72 |
No increase in mutants at clearly cytoxic concentrations.
Ethanol was negative for mutagenic activity in the Ames reversion test using strain TA97 but showed a reproducible increase in revertants over controls in TA102 but this was less than two-fold increase which is not normally considered to be biologically significant in the Ames test. It was however reproducible. It is unclear if the result was obtained with or without metabolic activation (or with both.) The mutagenic potential (based on most severe response seen with or without metabolic activation in either strain) was 0.00005 revertants/nmole, which can be considered very low.
The authors tentatively classified it as an uncertain or questionable mutagen. However, considering the response against the high dose used (160 mg/plate) suggests that this is an excessively conservative conclusion and that the balance of evidence points to a negative result.
All strains of Salmonells typhimurium showed no significant change in the number of reversions in the presence of ethanol with or without metabolic activation. The potency was (revertants/nmole) < 0.00006.
Ethanol showed less a 2 fold or less difference between the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the repair deficient and repair proficient strains which was the criteria for deciding on significance. The MICs varied between 5 -20mg, which can be considered high.
In the DNA repair test there was equivocal activity in the 2 hr preincubation assay in the presence of S9 (negative without) and ethanol was inactive in the absence of S9 and in the spot test.
The 5 ethanol preparations showed similar dose-response curves for induction of RK- mutants with thresholds of 18-19% v/v. Addition of dimethylsulfoxide lowered the thresholds by around 5% to 13-15%. Cytotoxicity was seen at approximately 17% in the absence of DMSO (cytotoxicity was reproducibly virtually absent at 15% and around 1000x greater at 20%.)
Whilst positive, the massive concentration at which this result was seen can be extrapolated to conclude that the result would be negative at more conventional test concentrations. Mutagenicity also only occured at the same concentrations as cytotoxicity.
The results seen with the different ethanol grades were indistinguishable from each other.
The end point of genotoxicity is the preferential killing of the DNA repair deficient strain. The proficient and deficient strains are incubated together with the substance, with our without metabolic activation, before they are plated, incubated and counted.
There were < 70 revertants per 10mg/plate tested.
Summary of results
ETHANOL | TA100 -S9 | TA100 +S9 | TA98 -S9 | TA98 +S9 | TA1535 -S9 | TA1535 +S9 | TA1537 -S9 | TA1537 +S9 | TA102 -S9 | TA102 +S9 |
# values |
19 | 19 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 2 | 2 |
Mean |
118 | 131 | 35 | 37 | 30 | 30 | 13 | 15 | 290 | 304 |
SD |
6 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||
ALL VEHICLES |
||||||||||
# values |
342 | 339 | 337 | 340 | 341 | 331 | 323 | 325 | 20 | 22 |
Mean |
124 | 125 | 31 | 36 | 26 | 18 | 11 | 14 | 262 | 285 |
SD |
16 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 32 |
For the more common strains, the ethanol results represent around 18 -20 assays (replicates)
Results - mutation frequence (x10E-6):
Ethanol as a vehicle control | All vehicle controls | |||
-S9 | +S9 | -S9 | +S9 | |
Number of studies | 1 | 1 | 20 | 20 |
Mean | - | - | 95.7 | 106.6 |
SD | - | - | 32.1 | 25.7 |
Max | 98.9 | 134.4 | 186 | 148.7 |
Min | 79.6 | 125.6 | 31.9 | 60.3 |
Experiment with ethanol is from two replicates in a single experiment
Endpoint conclusion
- Endpoint conclusion:
- no adverse effect observed (negative)
Additional information
Justification for classification or non-classification
There is no significant evidence that ethanol is a genotoxic hazard according to the criteria applied normally applied for the purposes of classification and labelling, when data that is only applicable to heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages is excluded, the limit doses normally applied in guideline studies are taken into consideration and the fact that confounding due to other toxic effects associated with very high doses are accepted.
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