Semicarbazide is not genotoxic in the flow cytometry-based micronucleus assay in vivo

Semicarbazide, mainly produced for research purposes, has been known for various reasons within foods. It occurs as one of the break-down products of nitrofurans, a group of widely used veterinary drugs, and as a break-down product of azodicarbonamide used as a flour treatment agent to improve baking properties. Furthermore, it occurs in carrageenan, a food additive (thickener). Semicarbazide was tested for genotoxicity. In this study, we present results from the flow cytometer-based micronucleus assay in peripheral blood of mice. Male CBA and Balb/C mice were intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with semicarbazide (hydrochloride). The doses were: 0, 40, 80, 120 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected and the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes, fMPCE, and the cell proliferation, %PCE, was determined. In order to further increase the sensitivity of the test for agents with an aneugenic property, also the fMPCE restricted to micronuclei containing a high mean DNA content, was measured. Neither of the different analyses disclosed any adverse effect in either of the two mouse strains. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.