EFFECT OF CARBOXYMETHYL-CHITIN-GLUCAN ON CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE-INDUCED MUTAGENICITY

The effect of high molecular carboxymethyl-chitin-glucan (CMCG), admin istered either intraperitoneally, intravenously or orally prior to cyc lophosphamide injection, on the frequency of micronucleated reticulocy tes was evaluated in peripheral blood of female ICR mice. Both intrape ritoneal and intravenous administration of CMCG decreased the clastoge nic effect of cyclophosphamide. The protective effect of CMCG was conc entration dependent, with a higher decrease achieved by 100 mg/kg than by 50 mg/kg body weight. On the other hand, not even five peroral pre treatments with CMCG in the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight during the w eek prior to simultaneous administration of CMCG and cyclophosphamide induced a decrease of micronucleated reticulocytes in peripheral blood . It is therefore conceivable that CMCG failed to pass through the gas trointestinal tract, probably due to its high molecular weight. The an timutagenic effect of CMCG against cyclophosphamide was manifested by its intraperitoneal and intravenous administration to female ICR mice.