MUTAGENESIS, ANTIMUTAGENESIS, DNA-REPAIR

The paper presents a classification of antimutagens and the mechanism of their action. The mutagens included interferons and vitamins. The paper also provides evidence for the unique protective action of interferons against various mutagens and reveals their activity depending on the genotype of cells, in some DNA repair-deficiency cells, interferons failed to act. Surveys of workers contacting with heavy metals who were on ascorbic acid, retinol or their combination have indicated a reduction in chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges and stimulation of DNA repair, which are induced by reference mutagens in the lymphocytes in vitro.