Induction of sister chromatid exchanges in phenytoin treated & untreated patients with epilepsy.

The mutagenic potential of phenytoin (PHT) was studied using the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assay. Twenty nine PHT treated epileptics, 32 untreated and 32 normal healthy controls were analysed. Similar SCE frequencies were observed in untreated patients and patients on PHT monotherapy. Both groups had significantly increased SCE frequency as compared to controls. No positive correlation of SCE frequency with sex and duration of therapy was observed. The results of the present study suggest the role of the disease condition in inducing genetic damage as assessed by increased SCE frequencies.