Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM:To investigate the in vitro effects of DNA damage and chromosome aberration induced by sodium pentachlorophenol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different concentrations of sodium pentachlorophenol were added to the culture medium for cells of hamster ovary (CHO).DNA damage and chromosome aberration thus induced were evaluated by using single cell gel electrophoresis(SCGE, comet assay)and chromosome aberration test. RESULTS: The frequencies of DNA damage caused by sodium pentachlorophenol in the treatment groups with dosages of 80 and 160 μg/ml were significantly higher than the control group, and showed a dose_response relationship. Sodium pentachlorophenol also induced a significantly increased chromosome aberration rate both with and without adding S9 mix. CONCLUSION: Sodium pentachlorophenol could induce DNA damage and chromosome aberration of CHO cells.

Key words: pentachlorophenol, single cell gel electrophoresis, in vitro, chromosome aberration, DNA damage