Amino acids excess increase SCEs in human lymphocytes.

The effects of 21 amino acids on sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in human lymphocytes were investigated. Addition of each of the 21 amino acids, originally in a composition of the culture medium RPMI 1640, at three different concentrations (10 micrograms/ml, 50 micrograms/ml and 100 micrograms/ml) caused a dose-independent increase in SCE frequency. The results indicated that amino acids, although indispensable for cells in vivo and in vitro, may be SCE-inducing agents.