2-Aminoanthracene, diethylstilboesterol and vinblastine tested in the in vitro mammalian cell micronucleus test at British American Tobacco UK in support of the OECD draft Test Guideline 487

Reference genotoxic compounds 2-aminoanthracene, diethylstilboesterol and vinblastine were tested in the in vitro micronucleus assay using Chinese hamster V79 derived cells in the laboratories of British American Tobacco in the UK. The work was conducted in support of the cytotoxicity measures recommended in the 2007 version of the OECD Test Guideline 487. The three compounds were positive in the assay in the presence and absence of the cytokinesis blocking agent cytochalasin B at concentrations that did not exceed the recommended cytotoxic limits determined by relative population doubling, relative increase in cell counts, relative cell counts and cytokinesis block proliferation index. Consequently, this work supports the hypothesis that relative population doubling, relative increase in cell counts and relative cell counts are appropriate measures of cytotoxicity for the non-cytokinesis blocked in vitro micronucleus assay. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.