2-Deoxy-D-glucose induced modification of chromosomal damage in UV-irradiated peripheral human leukocytes

UV-irradiation (0.6 J/m2) of peripheral human leukocytes 27 hr after PHA-stimulation induced a considerable mitotic delay in the cultures. Approximately two thirds of the chromosomal aberrations induced by UV were gaps of the chromatid and isochromatid types. Treatment with glucose antimetabolite 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) alone did not induce any chromosomal damage. Presence of 2-DG (5 mM, equimolar with glucose) for 2 hr after UV-irradiation resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency of cells with aberrations. Decrease in the total aberrations per cell was also observed. The data are consistent with earlier observations that 2-DG reduces the manifestation of radiation damage in normal proliferating cells.