In vivo cytogenetic activity of sulphonylurea drugs in man

Abstract

A cytogenetic investigation of diabetic patients undergoing treatment with sulphonylurea drugs, particularly chlorpropamide, shows that significantly more chromatid aberrations and chromosome exchange aberrations are present in the lymphocytes of these patients compared with controls. This is taken as evidence of possible mutagenic activity by these drugs, although the possibility cannot be ruled out that the diabetic state itself is a contributory factor