Anticlastogenic effect of beta-carotene in Chinese hamsters. Time and dose response studies with different mutagens.

beta-Carotene exhibited dose-dependent anticlastogenic effects on aberrations induced by the direct-acting mutagens thio-TEPA, methyl methanesulfonate and busulfan in the in vivo chromosome aberration test (bone marrow cells, Chinese hamsters). No effect was seen when retinol was used. Apparent differences in the action of beta-carotene on aberrations induced by the three applied mutagens may be due to differences in the solubility of the compounds and to the different routes of administration.