SCE in lymphocytes of patients treated with single, large doses of diazepam

When using the SCE test for evaluation of exposure in vivo to potential mutagens/carcinogens, it is necessary to consider possible confounding factors. In studies of possible mutagenic effects of pharmacological treatment the effect of concomitant administration of other agents such as sedatives may have to be considered. In order to assess whether diazepam per se influences SCE we have examined SCE in peripheral lymphocytes in 34 persons before and after oral administration of a single large dose of diazepam. 18 men and 16 women undergoing minor surgery of the hand received diazepam 0.2 mg kg-1 body weight orally on the day of operation, and venous blood samples were drawn on the day before the operation and again 2-5 h after the administration of diazepam. Both within cigarette smokers and non-smokers there was no statistically significant change of SCE following diazepam. It was concluded that there was no indication, from the SCE test, of an immediate mutagenic effect of a single large dose of diazepam and that such medication is not a confounding factor in studies by the SCE test.