Cytogenetic alterations in human lymphocyte cultures following exposure to ofloxacin.

Ofloxacin (OFX), a second-generation of quinolones, is a broad-spectrum flouroquinolone antibiotic used in the treatment of various bacterial infections. In this article, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and genotoxic potentials of OFX in cultured human peripheral lymphocytes. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of OFX on human peripheral blood lymphocytes were examined in vitro by sister chromatid exchange (SCE), chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronucleus (MN) tests. Cultures were treated with 30, 60 and 120 μg/ml of OFX for 48 h. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was used as a solvent control. OFX decreased the mitotic index (MI) and nuclear division index (NDI) significantly, especially at higher concentrations (60 and 120 μg/ml) compared with solvent control. OFX significantly induced CAs at all concentrations and SCEs at higher concentrations (60 and 120 μg/ml) compared with solvent control. In conclusion, our results indicated that OFX has cytotoxic, cytostatic and genotoxic potential especially at higher concentrations on human peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures under the experimental conditions.