Effect of tetrandrine on micronucleus formation and sister-chromatid exchange in both in vitro and in vivo assays.

Abstract

The genotoxicity of tetrandrine, a drug potentially useful for the treatment of silicosis, was studied using the micronucleus and the sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) assay systems. Cultured Chinese hamster lung (V79) cells were used for the in vitro micronucleus and sister-chromatid exchange studies. Mouse bone marrow was used for the in vivo micronucleus assay and mouse spleen cells for the in vivo/in vitro sister-chromatid exchange analysis. The results show that SCE levels in V79 and in spleen cells were significantly elevated by treatment with tetrandrine at doses above 0.08 mg/ml and 100 mg/kg bw, respectively. Increased tetradrine-induced SCE in vitro was metabolic activation dependent. Tetrandrine failed to induce micronuclei at any of the doses tested. A decrease of replicative index with an increase in the concentration of tetrandrine was found both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that tetrandrine is a weak indirect-acting genotoxicant.

• Authors: S G Xing, X C Shi, Z L Wu, W Z Whong, T Ong
• Journal: Mutation research (Mutat Res) Vol. 224 Issue 1 Pg. 5-10 (Sep 1989) ISSN: 0027-5107 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 2770774 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Alkaloids
• Benzylisoquinolines
• tetrandrine

Topics

• Alkaloids (pharmacokinetics, toxicity)
• Animals
• Benzylisoquinolines
• Biotransformation
• Bone Marrow (drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Fibroblasts (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Mice
• Micronucleus Tests
• Middle Aged
• Sister Chromatid Exchange (drug effects)
• Spleen (cytology, drug effects)