In vitro and in vivo assays of isopropanol for mutagenicity

To assess the mutagenic potential of isopropanol, an in vitro Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell/HGPRT gene mutation assay and a bone marrow micronucleus study in mice were conducted. In the CHO/HGPRT assay, concentration levels ranged from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/ml. No elevated mutant frequencies attributable to treatment were observed in the test under either activated or non‐activated conditions. In the micronucleus assay, mice were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with either 350, 1,173, or 2,500 mg/kg of isopropanol at constant volumes of 10 ml/kg. No increased incidence of micronuclei was observed in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) harvested at 24, 48, or 72 hr post‐dosing. In both assays, negative and positive control mutant frequencies were within historical control ranges. These results, in conjunction with previously published data, clearly demonstrate that isopropanol is not a mutagen. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.