Sister chromatid exchange induced by secondary and tertiary amine containing dyes and in combination with nitrite in vivo in mice.

Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) induced by Indigo carmine (secondary amine containing dye), Fast green FCF (tertiary amine containing dye) and nitrite singly and in combination with nitrite were carried out in vivo in mice following acute exposure. A significant trend in the frequency of SCE in bone marrow cells was observed for all the dyes and nitrite tested when compared to the negative control. Fast green FCF was found to be more toxic than Indigo carmine. In addition, when a combination of half the concentrations of the dyes and nitrite was given, the values of SCEs were consistently lower than the sum of the expected values of the agents given individually. This indicates antagonistic response between the dyes and nitrite on SCEs.