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Effect of malathion on nucleic acid synthesis in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes

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Summary

The effect of malathion, an organophosphorus insecticide, on DNA and RNA synthesis was investigated by measuring the rate of incoporation of 3H thymidine and 3H uridine, respectively, into human lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Increasing concentrations of malathion, from 10 to 70 μg/ml, were added to human lymphocyte cultures at different times in relation to PHA introduction. The lowest applied dose of malathion (10 μg/ml) in most cases led to increased incorporation of both 3H thymidine and 3H uridine. Higher concentrations of malathion (30, 50, 70 μg/ml) caused a time- and dosedependent decrease of radioisotope incorporation.

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Czajkowska, A., Walter, Z. Effect of malathion on nucleic acid synthesis in phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes. Hum Genet 56, 189–194 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00295693

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