Chromosome damage induced in human lymphocytes by 5-methoxypsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen plus UV-A

The induction of structural chromosome aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) was studied in human lymphocytes in vitro after treatment with the two bifunctional furocoumarins 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) and 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) in the presence of UV-A. The results show that both psoralens induce a dose-dependent increase in the SCE rate as well as in structural chromosome aberrations. 5-MOP was 2.0-2.5 times more effective for the induction of chromosome breaks and had a slightly stronger effect with respect to SCE induction. A significant influence on proliferation kinetics could be observed only with 5-MOP plus UV-A.