EVALUATION OF HYDROQUINONE AND CHLORAL HYDRATE ON THE IN-VITRO MICRONUCLEUS TEST ON ISOLATED LYMPHOCYTES

The cytochalasin B micronucleus test was performed in human peripheral lymphocyte cultures to assay the ability of hydroquinone and chloral hydrate to induce micronuclei, in the presence or absence of an exogen ous metabolic activation system. Cultures and readings were performed in duplicate. No significant damage Was found after treatment with chl oral hydrate in this test system, whereas hydroquinone induced a clear positive response in one culture in the presence of metabolic activat ion during the G1 phase. Isolated lymphocytes used as a test system pr ovide information about the test compound itself without interference by blood components. Comparison of the two readers' data showed few ma rked discrepancies in the number of micronuclei recorded in binucleate d cells. Strict criteria for data analysis are therefore necessary to avoid intra-assay or operator variability.