In vivo cytogenetic study in rats maintained for eight days on diets containing probucol

Probucol (4,4'-(isopropylidenedithio)bis(2,6-di-t-butylphenol], a cholesterol-lowering drug, was evaluated for cytogenetic toxicity in the bone-marrow cells of Sprague-Dawley rats. Male and female rats were fed diets containing 0, 200, 400, or 800 mg/kg body weight/day for 8 consecutive days. Animals treated with trimethylphosphate served as positive controls. Femoral bone-marrow specimens were aspirated from all animals for cytogenetic evaluation. Analysis of the data generated by this study indicated that the incidence of cytogenetic aberrations in the bone marrow of rats was not affected by administration of probucol within the present treatment regimen.