Mutagenic bioassay of certain pharmacological drugs. I. Thiabendazole (TBZ).

This report describes the chromosomal damage produced by 2-(4'-thiazolyl)benzimidazole or thiabendazole (TBZ) evaluated by "in vivo" and "in vitro" cytogenetic tests. The doses assayed in adult mice by the sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus tests were: 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight; these are within the range of those used in human antihelminthic treatments. SCE frequency was increased only in the last dose (p less than 0.05). A significant increase of micronucleated cells was shown in the 3 doses assayed (p less than 0.001). A marked increase in abnormal anaphase-telophase cells was only detected with the two highest concentrations assayed (0.60-0.24 microgram/ml) p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.05 respectively. The observed genotoxic effects of this compound indicate that TBZ itself is a mutagenic agent.

[Cytogenetic study of the Argentine "Cai" (Cebus apella)]. / Etude cytogénétique du "Cai" d'Argentine (Cebus apella).

The karyotype of the Argentine "Cai" (Cebus apella) is studied by different banding techniques (C and G). The analysis takes into account the results obtained from 15 specimens according to their geographic habitat. Comparative studies between phenotypic and karyotypic features suggest a phenotypic sub-speciation instead of a chromosomal. This proposition is supported by the observed karyologic stability. According to this report the genus Cebus and the species apella remains controversial from the systematic point of view.