An Animal Model for the Evaluation of Drug-Induced Chromosome Damage

Cytogenetic analyses of cells subjected to psychotropic drugs are important but restrictive when man is the study subject. An experimental animal system, using the rabbit, was established to ascertain whether a relationship exists between in vivo administration of drugs of abuse and chromosome damage. This report describes the cytogenetic data after acute and/or chronic intravenous administration of d-methamphetamine-HCl, LSD-25, and mitomycin C. The hyperthermia data of LSD-25 were analyzed during the experiments with this drug. A positive control was established with mitomycin C and sterile injectable saline was used for the negative controls. Pre and post chromosome complements failed to show any statistical association between chromosome damage and LSD or methamphetamine. The hyperthermia engendered after the injection of LSD was statistically significant and residual in nature.