Inhibition of mitomycin C-induced sister chromatid exchanges by vitamin C in vivo

• Published in: Journal of toxicology and environmental health Vol. 35; no. 2; p. 107
• Main Authors: Rivas-Olmedo, G, Barriga-Arceo, S D, Madrigal-Bujaidar, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-02-1992
• Subjects: Animals; Ascorbic Acid - pharmacology; Bone Marrow - drug effects; Cell Division - drug effects; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Mice; Mitomycin - antagonists & inhibitors; Mitomycin - pharmacology; Sister Chromatid Exchange - drug effects
• ISSN: 0098-4108
• DOI: 10.1080/15287399209531599

The aim of this experiment was to test the modulation of genotoxicity produced by vitamin C (V-C) challenged against mitomycin C (MMC) in vivo, by analyzing the sister chromatid exchanges (SCE) and cell proliferation kinetics. We used the mouse bone marrow cytogenetic method, and tested three dosages of V-C (3, 5, and 7 g/kg of body weight), along with the appropriate positive (2 mg MMC/kg body weight) and negative V-C controls. The results showed that V-C caused a strong inhibition of SCEs induced by MMC in the three dosages administered. The highest dose (7 g/kg) caused an SCE inhibition of 70.02%, while the lower ones caused an inhibition of 54.61% and 52.30%, respectively. It was also clear that V-C per se does not increase the level of SCEs in mouse bone marrow cells. On the other hand, V-C induced a slight decrease in cell proliferation that was stronger when combined with MMC. Our data suggest that V-C effectively inhibit the SCE damage in vivo, but caution must be taken because of the observed cytotoxicity.