title: Caffeine enhanced measurement of mutagenesis by low levels of gamma-irradiation in human lymphocytes.
abstract: The well-known action of caffeine in synergizing mutagenesis (including chromosome aberrations) of agents like ionizing radiation by inhibition of cellular repair processes has been incorporated into a rapid procedure for detection of mutagenicity with high sensitivity. Effects of 5-10 rads of gamma-irradiation, which approximate the human lifetime dose accumulation from background radiation, can be detected in a two-day procedure using an immortalized human WBC culture. Chromosomally visible lesions are scored on cells incubated for 2 h after irradiation in the presence and absence of 1.0 mg/ml of caffeine. An eightfold amplification of scorable lesions is achieved over the action of radiation alone. This approach provides a closer approximation to absolute mutagenicity unmitigated by repair processes, which can vary in different situations. It is proposed that mutagenesis testing of this kind, using caffeine or other repair-inhibitory agents, be employed to identify mutagens in their effective concentrations to which human populations may be exposed; to detect agents such as caffeine that may synergize mutagenic actions and pose epidemiologic threats; and to discover effective anti-mutagens. Information derived from the use of such procedures may help prevent cancer and newly acquired genetic disease.
authors.affiliation: Eleanor Roosevelt Institute for Cancer Research, Denver, Colorado 80206.
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Puck
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Waldren
mesh_terms: D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000187:drug effects; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016296:Mutagenesis
chemical_list: D002110:Caffeine