Genotoxic effects of estradiol-17 beta on human lymphocyte chromosomes

The cytogenetic effect of a hormonal steroid, estradiol-17 beta, was assess ed in peripheral blood human lymphocyte culture. Sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and chromosome aberrations (CA) were scored as genetic end points. S ignificant induction of CA was observed at 25 mu g/ml and 50 mu g/ml concen trations of estradiol-17 beta in the absence of microsomal activation. The drug was effective in all treatments in the presence of rat liver S-9 micro somal fraction (S-9 mix) and exhibited increased frequency of chromosomal a berrations. The drug was effective in increasing the SCE frequency which wa s found to be maximum at the dose of 50 mu g/ml concentration (i.e., 4.34 /- 1.22) both with and without metabolic activation. It was found that estr adiol-17 beta itself and possibly its metabolites are potent mutagens beyon d a particular dose in human lymphocytes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.