The effect of methylxanthines on chromosomes of human lyphocytes in culture

Mutat Res. 1975 Feb;31(1):57-61. doi: 10.1016/0165-1161(75)90064-3.

Abstract

The effect of caffeine (I,3,7-trimethylxanthine), theophylline (I,3-dimethylxanthine), theobromine (3,7-dimethylxanthine), paraxanthine (I,7-dimethylxanthine) I-methylxanthine, 3-methylxanthine, and 7-methylxanthine added at the 48th h on the chromosomes of human lymphocytes in 72-h cultures has been investigated. Caffeine and the dimethylxanthines cause breakage at 750 mug/ml, with caffeine the most, and paraxanthine the least clastogenic. I-Methylxanthine and dimethylxanthines with a methyl group in the I-position are the most effective in depressing mitotic indices. No chromosome damage was exhibited by the monomethylxanthines.

MeSH terms

  • Caffeine / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromosomes / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Lymphocytes / ultrastructure
  • Mitosis / drug effects
  • Mutagens / pharmacology*
  • Theobromine / pharmacology
  • Theophylline / pharmacology
  • Time Factors
  • Xanthines / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Mutagens
  • Xanthines
  • Caffeine
  • Theophylline
  • Theobromine