Original Research Article

Effects of Cetirizine Dihydrochloride on Human Lymphocytes in vitro: Evaluation of Chromosome Aberrations and Sister Chromatid Exchanges
D. Vlastos, G. Stephanou, N.A. Demopoulos

Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Patras, Greece

Address of Corresponding Author

Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology 1998;11:104-110 (DOI: 10.1159/000029815)

  Key Words

• Cetirizine dihydrochloride
• Human lymphocyte cultures
• Chromosome aberrations
• Sister chromatid exchanges

  Abstract

The ability of cetirizine dihydrochloride, an antihistaminic agent, to induce chromosome aberrations as well as sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was evaluated in human lymphocyte cultures treated in vitro. The following concentrations were tested: 25, 50, 75, 100 and 200 µg/ml. The results of our study revealed that cetirizine dihydrochloride is capable of inducing chromosome aberrations, at least at the higher concentrations studied, 100 and 200 µg/ml. The majority of aberrations was of chromatid type. Cetirizine is also a weak inducer of SCEs. Further studies are now warranted in order to define the in vivo cytogenetic activity of cetirizine in humans.

  Author Contacts

G. Stephanou
Division of Genetics, Cell and Developmental Biology
Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR-26500 Patras (Greece)
Tel. +30 61 997168, Fax +30 61 997185
E-Mail ndemop@biology.upatras.gr

  Article Information

Received: Received: July 18, 1997
Accepted: Dec. 29, 1997
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 31