Histidine increases the frequency of chromosomal aberrations induced by the xanthine oxidase-hypoxanthine system in V79 cells.

The combined effects of the xanthine oxidase (XO)-hypoxanthine (HX) system and the various kinds of amino acids in Eagle's minimum essential medium on chromosomal aberrations were studied in Chinese hamster V79 cells. Among 13 amino acids tested, only histidine significantly increased the number of aberrant chromosomes and cytotoxicity in combination with the XO-HX system. This enhancing effect of histidine on chromosomal aberrations was dose-dependent at 0.063% - 0.25%; it was not affected by superoxide dismutase, but was strongly inhibited by catalase.