Chromosome breaking activity of human feces and its enhancement by transition metals

Abstract
Chloroform‐methanol extracts from human fecal samples were found to contain compounds which induce chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary cells. The induction of chromosome aberrations is stimulated by Cu2+ or Mn2+ and inhibited by Fe2+ or Fe3+. Addition of catalase to the fecal extract or the mixture of fecal extract and Mn2+ reduced the frequency of chromosome aberrations. These properties are indicative of hydroxyradical producing agents.