PHARMACOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN THE SEARCH AN D USE OF ANTIMUTAGENS

To design protectants of human genomic structures against mutagenic ef fects is defined as a new pharmacological problem; the perspectives of its solution are outlined. The experimental evidence that formed the biological basis for searching for pharmacological correctors of the m utagenic effects produced by xenobiotics is analysed, the basic princi ples for designing pharmacological protectants of genetic structures a re formulated. Great emphasis is laid on the antimutagenic properties of antiradical agents. Evidence is provided for that there are no pros pects of searching for pharmacological protectants among natural and s ynthetic phenol compounds. It is noted that the informative value of m icrobiological tests is poor. To design a corrector of the damaging ac tion of each particular mutagen is shown to be an independent scientif ic problem which can be solved only by employing eukaryotic test syste ms. The areas of possible application of antimutagens are defined and some known examples of their use to protect human genetic structures a re presented.