Mutation Research/Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis
ReviewCobalt and antimony: genotoxicity and carcinogenicity
Introduction
Beside other metals such as nickel, cadmium or chromium for which the genotoxic and carcinogenic properties have been extensively studied, cobalt (Co) and antimony (Sb) have received relatively less attention, probably because their commercial and industrial applications are more limited. Significant knowledge about the genotoxic properties of these elements has, however, been produced in recent years and potential mechanisms of action have been investigated. The purpose of this review is to summarise in a structured way the data available concerning genotoxic and carcinogenic hazards of Co and Sb. An overview of the in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity studies is given in Table 1, Table 2.
Section snippets
Cobalt
Cobalt has a molecular weight of 58.9 and an atomic number of 27. In the Periodic Table, close to other transition metals, it is situated in group 8, together with rhodium and iridium and it can occur in four oxidation states (0, +2, +3 and +4). The +2 and the ground state are the most common. Cobalt occurs in the minerals cobaltite (Co, Fe) AsS, smaltite (CoAs2), and erythrite Co3(AsO4)2·8H2O, and is often associated with nickel, silver, lead, copper, and iron ores, from which it is most
Antimony
Antimony has a molecular weight of 121.76 and an atomic number of 51. In the Periodic Table, it is situated in group 5a, between arsenic and bismuth and it can occur in four oxidation states (0, −3, +3 and +5). The +III state is the most common and stable. Antimony is often referred to as a metalloid, indicating that it displays both metallic and non-metallic characteristics. Antimony is mainly produced from stibnite ores (antimony trisulfide) or as a by-product of the smelting of primary lead
References (88)
- et al.
Mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and teratogenicity of cobalt metal and cobalt compounds
Mutation Res.
(1990) - et al.
The genetic toxicology of cobalt
Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.
(1992) - et al.
Comparative evaluation of the in vitro micronucleus test and the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis assay for the detection of DNA damaging agents: genotoxic effects of cobalt powder
Mutat Res.
(1997) - et al.
Modulation by Co(II) of UV-induced DNA repair, mutagenesis and sister-chromatid exchanges in mammalian cells
Mutation Res.
(1991) - et al.
Antimutagenic action of cobaltous chloride on radiation-induced mutations in cultured Chinese hamster cells
Mutat Res.
(1990) - et al.
Cobalt(II) inhibits the incision and the polymerization step of nucleotide excision repair in human fibroblasts
Mutat Res.
(1997) - et al.
The interaction of cobalt metal with different carbides and other mineral particles on mouse peritoneal macrophages
Toxicol vitro
(1995) - et al.
TNF-alpha secretion and macrophage mortality induced by cobalt and chromium ions in vitro—qualitative analysis of apoptosis
Biomaterials
(2003) - et al.
Studies on erythropoiesis. V. The effect of cobalt on the production of erythropoietin
Blood
(1958) - et al.
Increased sister chromatid exchanges and tumour markers in workers exposed to elemental chromium-, cobalt- and nickel-containing dusts
Mutat Res.
(1993)