Evaluation of genotoxic activity of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in human peripheral lymphocytes

Abstract

Purpose: Antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) iinfection, treat by preventing the proliferation of HIV in human body. People with HIV have to use this drugs for lifelong because of inability of the drugs to eradicate the viruses. In this study, we investigated the in vitro genotoxic activity of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate one of the antiretroviral drugs, in human peripheral lymphocytes. Material and Methods: The cells were treated with four different concentrations of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for 24 and 48 hours. The levels of sister chromatid exchanges, chromosomal aberrations, and micronucleus in the cells were examined for the genotoxic activity of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Mitotic index, proliferation index, and nucleer division index of treated cells were also determined for the cytotoxic effect of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate. Results: There was no significant differences in the level of sister chromatid exchanges, chromosomal aberrations, and micronucleus in human lyphocytes treated with all concetrations of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for all treatment period as compared to control group. Similarly, it was observed that treatment of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate did not affect the mitotic index, proliferation index, and nucleer division index values. Conclusion: As a result, in this study, it is demonstrated that tenofovir disoproxil fumarate did not have genotoxic or cytotoxic effect in the human peripheral lymphocytes.