The dipyrone or metamizole belongs to the family of the pyrazolones. It is one of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (NSAIs) most used, Brazil included, mainly due to its low financial cost. However, in some countries the sale of dipyrone is prohibited due to reported severe cases of agranulocytosis as a result of its use. Despite its high usage, studies showing genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of dipyrone in mammalian cells are scarce. Therefore, in the present study we will assess cell viability, genotoxic effects, cytotoxic effects (by apoptosis and necrosis induction) and the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in VERO cells (a cell line obtained from red kidney of green monkey) exposed to dipyrone. Our results showed a significant reduction in viability of cells exposed to dipyrone by the MTT assay. A significant increase in damage index evaluated by comet assay was also observed, which indicate its genotoxic effects. In which concerns the cytotoxic effects of dipyrone, we observed a significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells using fluorescent dyes after 24h and 48 h of treatment with the drug. Ours results also showed that there was no significant difference in the induction of ROS generation after treatment of the cells with the drug assessed by the DCFH-DA technique. Thus, our work showed that dipyrone is both a genotoxic and cytotoxic drug to VERO cells in the assessed conditions.
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