[Comutagen interaction of verapamil and ribavirin]

The chromosome aberration assay in the bone marrow cells of C57BL/6 mice was used to study the cytogenetic activity of ribavirin (10, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) alone and in combinations with verapamil (0.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg, p.o.). It was established that ribavirin was cytogenetically active upon single administration in a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg, and it was also active in a dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg when administered for 5 days in combination with verapamil in a dose of 5 or 10 mg/kg and 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg, respectively. These results indicate that verapamil and ribavirin exhibit comutagen action.