title: Chromosomal aberrations induced by methyl parathion in human peripheral lymphocytes of alcoholics and smokers.
abstract: 1 Two different concentrations (0.08 and 0.16 micrograms ml-1) of methyl parathion (MP), a broad-spectrum insecticide, were tested on peripheral lymphocytes of healthy non-smoking non-alcoholics (CN), chronic smokers (SM) and alcoholics with smoking habit (ALSM). 2 SM and ALSM revealed a significant increase in chromosome aberration frequencies in peripheral lymphocytes compared to the CN group. 3 MP did not induce chromosomal aberrations in vitro in the CN group at either of the concentrations tested. 4 In SM and ALSM, MP induced a significant increase in chromosomal aberrations in vitro in peripheral lymphocytes at a concentration of 0.16 micrograms ml-1. 5 The results indicate that the damage induced by MP in peripheral lymphocytes is potentiated by smoking and alcohol intake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Karaivattom, Trivandrum, India.
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Sunil Kumar
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ankathil
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Devi
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010278:Parathion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000235:genetics*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010278:Parathion