Sister chromatid exchange frequencies induced in vivo and in vitro by the residues of brandy.

We obtained 6.93 g/l of residues of brandy after distillation and lyophilization of the beverage, and studied the genotoxic potential of this substance by scoring sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and evaluating cellular proliferation kinetics. For the in vitro study we tested 5, 10, 15, and 21 mg/ml of the residue in human lymphocyte cultures, and found a genotoxic response with the highest two doses as well as a delay of the cell cycle duration. For the in vivo study we used the mouse bone marrow system and tested 50, 200, 400, 800, and 1600 mg/kg. The results showed a significant increase of the SCE with the highest three doses without any modification of the cell cycle. The residues of brandy seem to be moderate inducers of SCE, as a doubling of the effect above the base line was not observed.