The analysis of 10 potential spindle poisons for their ability to induce CREST-positive micronuclei in human diploid fibroblasts

Abstract

Ten compounds selected for use within a coordinated Commission of the European Communities programme on aneuploidy induction (cadmium chloride, chloral hydrate, colchicine, diazepam, econazole, hydroquinone, pyrimeth-amine, thiabendazole, thimerosal and vinblastine) were tested for their ability to induce CREST-positive micronuclei in cultured human diploid fibroblasts. Significant increases in CREST-positive micronuclei were produced by cadmium chloride, chloral hydrate, colchicine, diazepam and vin-blastine. Thiabendazole produced a significant increase in the ratio of CREST-positive to CREST-negative micronuclei and was also classified as positive. Colchicine, diazepam and chloral hydrate were also tested in V79 Chinese hamster cells, where they all induced CREST-positive micronuclei.