title: Assessment of Potential In vitro Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Effects of Bupropion Hydrochloride (Wellbutrin) in Human Peripheral Lymphocytes and Human Cortical Neuron.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Wellbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride; WB), an anti-depressant of the aminoketone class is new highly selective norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor; it is effective in the treatment of patients with major depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  To investigate the in vitro effects of WB in human cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes and human cortical neural (HCN2) cell lines, micronucleus, sister chromatid exchange analysis, cellular viability, and comet assays were employed. The present study is to our knowledge, the first report on WB genotoxicity in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes and its cytotoxicity in the HCN2 cell line. We have also investigated the genotoxic potential of WB to induce chromosomal aberrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  WB-induced cytotoxicity (measured as reduction of the nuclear division index) possibly prevented the division of damaged cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that although, WB exerts potential genotoxic effects in cultured lymphocytes, its cytogenetic effects are very unlikely to occur in blood cultures of WB-administered subjects.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomolecules and Genetics, School of Biosciences and Technology, VIT University Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Saurabh Kumar
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
authors.forename: Lokendra Singh
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Nathawat
authors.forename: Priyankka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Damani
authors.forename: Arpan Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Choksi
authors.forename: Arpita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Banik
authors.forename: Kriti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Aditi Sarkar
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bhattacharya
keywords: Comet assay; genotoxicity; micronucleus; wellbutrin