THE GENOTOXICITY OF SODIUM SACCHARIN AND SODIUM-CHLORIDE IN RELATION TO THEIR CANCER-PROMOTING PROPERTIES

The literature indicated that sodium saccharin was non-reactive to DNA and inactive as a gene mutagen in vitro. At elevated dose levels it was capable of producing structural disturbances in eukaryotic chromosomes in vitro, and it showed intermittent activity as a weak germ-cell and somatic-cell mutagen in vivo. Its possible mode of action in these respects was speculated on and related to its ability to promote bladder tumors in rats at elevated dose levels. A review of the toxicology of NaCl revealed a profile of genotoxic activities almost identical to that of sodium saccharin. The recorded genotoxic and cancer-promoting activities of these chemicals will probably only become apparent at elevated dose levels that define them as significant contributors to the biological medium (solvent) rather than as trace xenobiotic toxins (solutes). The possible activity of acid saccharin, or of its potassium, calcium and ammonium salts, as ionic genotoxins requires evaluation.