Effect of hypothermia on cyclophosphamide-induced cytological and biochemical changes in mice

Swiss albino mice, 6-8 weeks old were treated intraperitoneally with an aqueous solution of cyclophosphamide. Control group of mice were treated with distilled water. All animals were maintained either at 4 or 22 degrees C and sacrificed after 24, 48 and 72 hours of treatment. Femoral cells were screened for induction of micronuclei. Protein, RNA and DNA were determined in liver cells of the same animals. Exposure to cold was found to reduce the cyclophosphamide-induced micronuclei in the polychromatic cells and increase the quantity of protein, RNA and DNA in the liver cells. The observed inhibition of micronuclei may be due to increased serum levels of melatonin, taurine, hypotaurine or thyroxine under hypothermic conditions.