Abstract

GONZALEZ ALVAREZ, Ricardo  and  ZAMORA RODRIGUEZ, Zullyt. Studies of ozone carcinogenicity. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2006, vol.25, n.4, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3011.

A bibliographic review of the preclinical toxicological researches  carried out up to the present on the carcinogenicity of ozone administered by inhalotory route in experimental animals (rats, mice and hamster) was made. Of the 9 informed studies, in some of them the animals were exposed to ozone for periods of 24 to 30 months, but the induction of pulmonary adenomas was only observed in those where mice were used.  Carcinogenicity in mice was evidenced only in B6C3F1 mice. On the contrary, the induction of adenomas or carcinomas was not detected in the studies using rats or hamsters after the exposure to high concentrations of ozone. To conclude, the exposure of rodents to inhalated ozone for long periods and at elevated concentration did not produce carcinogenesis in these species. It has not been proved that it is a promotor or carcinogenic agent. In human beings, the carcinogenicity of ozone has not been demonstrated yet. Further researches on this topic using different routes of ozone administration are necessary to clear up this aspect.

Keywords : Carcinogenesis; mice; rats; hamster.