Abstract
The antimitotic action of an acridine derivative (Italchina Farmitalia = Atebrin = 6-chloro-2-methoxy-9-α-diethylamino-δ-pentilaminoacridine) administered alone and in association with Colchicine has been studied on basophil megaloblasts of chick embryos.
In comparison to the controls, the following results have been obtained in the embryos treated with Italchina:
1) A marked decrease of mitotic index.
2) A high percentage increase of metaphases and significant percentage diminution of pro-, ana- and telophases.
3) Degenerative cytolytic lesions of interphasic nuclei and mitotic lesions: sticking of chromosomes, anaphase bridges, chromosomes breaking, irregular and often picnotic metaphases.
On the basis of the obtained results it is stated that Italchina exerts a double mitostatic action: a pre-prophasic action (radiomimetic) and a statmokinetic one (colchicine-like).
The combined treatment Italchina + Colchicine shows that Italchina enhances the action of Colchicine.
The conclusions obtained by Rondoni and Necco on the in vitro fibroblasts of chick embryos are confirmed.
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