Cytogenetic effects of sodium azide encapsulated in liposomes on heteroploid cell cultures.

Lipid vesicles (liposomes) have been shown to be a useful vehicle for the delivery of a variety of compounds to cultured cells. Using multilamellar vesicles (MLV) and small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) we were able to deliver the classical mutagen, sodium azide, into human heteroploid HEp-2 cells. With this method sodium azide is not diluted in culture medium, but it is 'focused' into cells, producing chromosomal aberrations and other major genetic damages. Our results indicate that liposomes are suitable vectors for introducing clastogenic substances into cultured human cells.