The clastogenic effects of isothiocyanates

Abstract Four isothiocyanates (ITCs), three of which are commonly found in the human diet, were tested for the ability to induce chromosome aberrations in an SV 40 -transformed Indian muntjac cell line. Whilst allyl ITC was found to be inactive the other three (benzyl ITC, phenethyl ITC and phenyl ITC) were found to be significant inducers of chromosome damage in the absence of any metabolic activation. Given that experimental data have demonstrated that ITCs can also protect laboratory animals from the induction of tumours by model carcinogens it is proposed that the presence of ITCs in the human diet may, potentially, have both beneficial and harmful consequences depending on the levels consumed.