[Cytogenetic studies of human lymphocytes under the influence of oxicams]

The influence of the oxicams, a special group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) was determined on human lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo. The analysis of SCE is a sensitive parameter indicating chromosomal damage. The cytogenetic examinations of Lornoxicam, Tenoxicam, and Piroxicam in vitro showed no influence on the SCE frequencies in therapeutic dosages. With addition of mitomycin C (MMC) to the cultures (a method which simulates an additional genotoxic stress) we found significant higher SCE rates in connection with the oxicams than in controls without an oxicam. A 14-day treatment with Tenoxicam and Lornoxicam changed the spontaneous SCE rates in vivo; Piroxicam did not. The raised SCE levels could indicate an antimutagenic effect of the oxicams if the repair of DNA damages is transferred to a more perfect pathway; however by an overloading of the repair, due to additional genotoxic factors (such as cytostatics, cigarette smoking, x-ray exposure) therapy with oxicams could point out a genotoxic risk.