Evaluation of the genetic damage induced by basuco in human lymphocytes using the micronucleus test

Abstract

Basuco is a complex mixture (psychoactive drug) obtained as a derivative during the process of extracting cocaine. In this study, basuco (pirolisado) was tested to evaluate the genetic damage induced in human lymphocytes, in terms of both chromosome breakage or total loss, using the lymphocyte micronucleus (MN) test. Human lymphocytes (whole blood) obtained from a young female non-smoking donor were employed to detect MN in binucleated cells after in vitro treatment with three concentrations of basuco diluted in distilled water (0.92, 7.40 and 59.00 μg/ml), selected by cytotoxicity tests (the mitotic index and average cell generation time). Negative controls (distilled water) and positive controls (mitomicineC, 50 μg/ml) were also evaluated. Treated cells showed a significantly higher number of micronuclei in binucleated cells compared to controls (F = 10.37, P < 0.005) and an obvious dose-effect relationship was observed. This implies that basuco is a potentially genotoxic complex mixture. Other mutagenic tests should be conducted, especially employing in vivo systems  and  through  the  monitoring  of  human  populations  exposed  to  basuco.  The  results  of  this  study  justify warning exposed human populations of the risks of exposure to this drug.