Enhancement of bleomycin induced cytoggenetic damage in blood cultures after griseofulvin therapy

ABSTRACT

Griseofulvin [GF], a naturally occurring food contaminant and a widely prescribed cheap and effective antifungal drug, was tested for its potential mutagenicity using the conventional cytogenetic method to assess the frequency of chromosomal aberrations [CA] in the cultured blood cells of GF treated patients receiving the drug in a dose of 12.5 mg/kg/d. Fourteen patients complaining of Tinea capitis and corporis were divided into two groups according to the duration of therapy [four to six weeks and eight weeks]. Ten healthy control subjects of matched age and sex, who did not receive GF served as blood donors for bleomycin [BLM] tests. It might be considered as a co-mutagen, when there is concomitant exposure of patients receiving GF therapy for a long duration to any radiomimetic agent, as GF amplified their cytogenetic damage. The study recommended the integration of bleomycin test for chromosomal fragility with other cytogenetic assays during the evaluation of the genotoxicity of any chemical agent, as it reflects its possible interaction with any radiomimetic agent