[Affect of As(2)O(3) on the sister chromatid exchanges in human blood lymphocytes].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the potential of As(2)O(3) in inducing malignant transformation at its therapeutic concentrations.


METHODS
The sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) treated with different concentrations of As(2)O(3) was detected by the staining technique for sister chromatid differentiation.


RESULTS
At 2 x 10(-6)mol/L and 1 x 10(-6) mol/L of As(2)O(3), the SCE frequency in PBLs was significantly increased as compared with the control (P < 0.01). Most of the lymphocytes were arrested at the first cell cycle (M1) and the mitotic index was significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner. At 1 x 10(-7) mol/L or less of As(2)O(3), the SCE frequency, the cell proliferation kinetics and the mitotic index in PBLs were similar to the control (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
It seemed that As(2)O(3) might induce transformation and affect the function of lymphocytes when used within the therapeutical concentration range.
Chen
L
L
Department of Hospital Administration, Yunnan Armed Police Hospital, Kunming 650111, China.
Liang
Y
Y
Jiang
S
S
D001152:Arsenicals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*
D001152:Arsenicals; D002273:Carcinogens