Mutation inhibition by beta-estradiol after low doses of gamma-irradiation of mammalian cells.

The methodology previously described for measuring mutagenesis has been applied to the study of mutation prevention in immortalized G2 phase human lymphocytes exposed to 25 and 50 cGy of gamma-radiation. Caffeine prevents repair of mutations. Two times 10(-4) M beta-estradiol applied for 2.5 h markedly decreases induced mutations and affects male and female cells similarly. Quantitative measurement of mutagenesis in cells of different individuals and the effect of various agents on mutation yield should be important in prevention of cancer and other mutational disease.