CYTOGENETIC EFFECTS OF MITOXANTRONE ON BONE-MARROW CELLS OF RODENTS

Mitoxantrone (MTX) is a synthetic compound of the anthracycline class of antibiotics, with antineoplastic properties. MTX interacts with DNA by intercalating into its molecule or by electrostatic interaction. I n view of its reduced cardiotoxic effects compared to other anthracycl ines, MTX has been used for the treatment of cancer. When tested in vi tro on human lymphocytes, MTX was found to be clastogenic. In the pres ent study the clastogenic potential of MTX was evaluated in vivo, usin g Wistar rat and BALB/c mouse bone marrow cells. The animals were inje cted intraperitoneally with different MTX concentrations. MTX induced a significant increase in the total number of chromosome aberrations i n all treatment groups. Only fractionated dose treatments showed signi ficant cytotoxicity to bone marrow cells.