Investigation of the Genotoxic Effects of the Analgesic Drugs Piroxicam and Tenoxicam in Human Lymphocytes

Abstract

Analgesics are one of the most widely used drug groups in the world. Since the genotoxic and carcinogenic effects of some analgesic drugs have been detected, studies investigating these effects have increased. In this study, the genotoxic effects of the analgesic drugs Tenoxicam and Piroxicam were investigated in vitro in human peripheral lymphocytes by chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and micronucleus (MN) assays. In addition, mitotic index (MI) and nuclear division index (NDI) values were also determined. As a result, no difference in chromosomal abnormalities was observed in both 24 and 48 hours of Piroxicam treatment. Micronucleus frequency was increased at the three highest concentrations (0.94, 1.88 and 3.75 µg/mL) compared to the control. Piroxicam significantly decreased MI compared to both control and solvent control at concentrations of 1.88 and 3.75 µg/mL at all exposure times. Tenoxicam showed a statistically significant increase at the highest concentration (10 μg/mL) compared to the control in the 24 h CA treatment. On the other hand, no effect was observed in 48-hour CA treatment. It was concluded that tenoxicam did not cause a toxic effect at any concentration except the highest concentration (10 μg/mL) in the MN assay results. Mitotic index (MI) significantly decreased at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 μg/mL. Nuclear division index (NDI) results did not change for both agents. In conclusion, both agents were found to be genotoxic only at high concentrations and the effect was weak. This study is pioneering as there have been no previous in vitro studies in human peripheral lymphocytes for both Piroxicam and Tenoxicam. These results need to be supported by different cell groups and in vivo assays.