Caffeine enhanced measurement of mutagenesis by low levels of [gamma]-irradiation in human lymphocytes

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Somatic Cell and Molecular Genetics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01233247· OSTI ID:5012734

Puck, T P; Johnson, R; Waldren, C A ^[1]; Morse, H ^[2]

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1. Eleanor Roosevelt Institute for Cancer Research, Denver, CO (United States)
2. Univ. of Colorado Cancer Center, Denver, CO (United States)

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 caffiene 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.

• OSTI ID: 5012734
• Journal Information: Somatic Cell and Molecular Genetics; (United States), Journal Name: Somatic Cell and Molecular Genetics; (United States) Vol. 19:5; ISSN 0740-7750; ISSN SCMGDN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550400 -- Genetics
560120* -- Radiation Effects on Biochemicals
Cells
& Tissue Culture
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANALEPTICS
AROMATICS
AZAARENES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RECOVERY
BIOLOGICAL REPAIR
CAFFEINE
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
DNA REPAIR
DRUGS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
GAMMA RADIATION
GENETIC EFFECTS
GENETIC RADIATION EFFECTS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INHIBITION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MUTAGEN SCREENING
MUTAGENESIS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POPULATIONS
PURINES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
REPAIR
SCREENING
SYNERGISM
XANTHINES