Induction of unscheduled DNA synthesis in human mononuclear leukocytes by oxidative stress

The effect of unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) of different agents that induce oxidative stress was investigated using human mononuclear leukocytes (HML). It was found that Xanthine plus Xanthine oxidase increased UDS by 47%. Hydrogen peroxide had no significant effect. Cumene hydroperoxide increases UDS by 50% with a large interindividual variation (7-100%). Bleomycin and Mitomycin C increase UDS 189% and 295%, respectively. The validity of UDS induced by these agents for screening interindividual differences in susceptibility to oxidative stress is discussed.