Cytotoxicity of tin on human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro

Abstract

The comparative effects of inorganic and organic tin compounds on chromosomes were assessed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes of healthy donors 20-40 years of age. The endpoints observed were chromosomal abnormalities, sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and cell cycle kinetics. The maximum concentrations which reduced the replicative index by about 50%, of stannic chloride and trimethyltin chloride were 40 μg and 2 μg per culture respectively. The tested doses were 20 μg and 10 μg of stannic chloride and 1 μg and 0.5 μg of trimethyltin chloride. Both doses of stannic chloride induced a much higher frequency of chromosomal abnormalities (P < 0.05-P < 0.001) and a greater reduction of cell cycle kinetics than the corresponding relative doses of trimethyltin chloride. The frequencies of SCEs/cell induced by the latter were, however, slightly higher than those induced by the former.