Cytogenetic evaluation of Fansidar on human lymphocyte chromosomes in vitro

Fansidar is a fixed combination of two antimalarial agents a diaminopyrimidine (Pyrimethamine) and a sulphonamide (Sulphadoxine) in the ratio 1:20- that have been used extensively worldwide for the treatment of Chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria, toxoplasmosis and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This study examined the effect of Fansidar on chromosomes in human lymphocyte culture. Fansidar was added to peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures in vitro at four different concentrations: 5,15, 25 and 50 microl in the ratio 1:20, 3:60, 5:100 and 10:200 microg ml(-1). Result shows that this drug induces moderate increase in the frequency of gaps, breaks and rearrangements. Therefore it can be concluded that Fansidar has moderate clastogenic effect on human chromosomes in vitro.     

Anticlastogenic action of vitamin C against genotoxicity of estrogenic drug diethylstilbestrol (DES) in the human lymphocyte chromosomes

Several sex steroids and estrogenic drugs are genotoxic in varying conditions and cause oxidative stress, which has been a field of interest to study the molecular mechanism of the genetic damage. Among the estrogenic drugs, a strong toxic effect is exerted by diethylstilbestrol (DES). In the present study it has been attempted to study its genotoxic effects in human lymphocyte assay system along with ameliorative or anticlastogenic effects of vitamin C. The drug was used with different dosage of concentrations on human lymphocytes administered in vitro. The parameters used were Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCEs) and Chromosomal Aberrations (CAs). Higher levels of clastogeny and SCEs have been observed indicating significant damaging effect by the drug. Interesting ameliorating effects were observed in the presence of vitamin C which is a well-known antioxidant. The results support the possibility of practical application of natural protectors against the mutagenic/oenotoxic action of chemical mutagens.