p-Aminophenol induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity enhanced by autoxidation

p-Aminophenol inhibits DNA synthesis and alters the structure of DNA. A decrease in sedimentation of nucleoids from cells treated with p-aminophenol was observed and this decrease in sedimentation was considerably less when cells were incubated with p-aminophenol in an atmosphere of nitrogen or at lower pH values. This compound was also shown to be cytotoxic to cells in culture. These results demonstrate that conditions retarding the autoxidation of p-aminophenol lead to reduced effects on DNA structure and a lesser cytotoxic effect.