Ca antagonist verapamil and tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate (TPA) induce chromosomal aberrations in human lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes from 8 healthy donors were cultured for 3 days in the presence of phytohemagglutinin. Addition of the Ca antagonist verapamil or the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increased chromosomal aberrations in comparison with control cultures. The effects of TPA and verapamil were additive. Although the Ca ionophore A23187 had no effect per se, it did abolish the effect of verapamil. Five patients with supraventricular tachycardia were treated clinically with verapamil for 1 week. Their lymphocytes were cultured for 3 days in vitro in the presence of phytohemagglutinin. These lymphocytes showed higher chromosomal aberrations in comparison with lymphocytes isolated from the patients before treatment. The clinical significance is still unclear. We suggest that calcium ions may be necessary for the intactness of chromosomes of human lymphocytes and presumably of other cells.
Friedman
J
J
B. Gattegno Research Institute, Hasharon Hospital, Petah-Tiqva, Israel.
Shabtai
F
F
Sandowski
U
U
Baharav
E
E
Halbrecht
I
I
D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000633:toxicity*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000633:toxicity*
D014700:Verapamil; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate