[Chromosomal damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of rats in nitrosomethylurea-induced carcinogenesis]

Chromosomal damages and their dynamics in blood lymphocytes of mongrel white L10 rats treated (once) intravenously with nitrosomethyl urea (NMU) at a dose of 50 mg/kg have been analyzed. A direct correlation is revealed between carcinogenesis, chromosome aberration level in somatic cells, polyploid and hyperaneuploid cell frequency 24 hs after the NMU treatment and in the precancerous period. An increase of hyperaneuploid and polyploid cells in the organism can serve as a prognostic factor of carcinogenesis.