DETERMINATION OF GENOTOXICANTS-INDUCED DNA DAMAGE BY USING RAPD-PCR IN HUMAN PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES

In recent years, several cell lines have been used and several tests have been developed to evaluate the toxicity of chemical mutagens as well as environmental contaminants. In this study, peripheral blood lymphocytes together with RAPD analysis was used to detect genotoxic effects of known genotoxicants, benzo amino pyrene, ethyl methane sulphonate and mitomycin-C. The exposure to the chemical mutagens caused changes in RAPD profiles of lymphocytes when compared with the control group. These changes included appearance of new bands, loss of normal bands and variation in band intensity. The results indicated that peripheral blood lymphocytes in combination with RAPD analysis could be used to detect genotoxic effects of various hazardous materials on human.