title: In vitro induction of chromosome damage by sulphasalazine in human lymphocytes.
abstract: Two different endpoints, sister-chromatid exchange and micronucleus induction, were measured in human peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated to divide in short-term in vitro cultures. The cultures were exposed to sulphasalazine and 6 of its metabolites for 72 h in the absence of any exogenous metabolic activation system. Analysis of the sister-chromatid exchange and micronuclei frequencies clearly indicates that sulphasalazine itself is capable of inducing both sister-chromatid exchange and micronuclei while sulphapyridine and its acetylated metabolites only induce sister-chromatid exchange. 5-Aminosalicylic acid, the therapeutic moiety of sulphasalazine, and its acetylated metabolite did not induce either sister-chromatid exchange or micronuclei at the concentrations tested. The data from these in vitro experiments are discussed in relation to the previously reported elevations in sister-chromatid exchange and micronucleus frequencies in inflammatory bowel disease patients receiving sulphasalazine therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Woodend Hospital, Aberdeen, Great Britain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Brunt
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Hawksworth
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D008940:Mitotic Index / Q000187:drug effects; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012460:Sulfasalazine