Influence of dietary antioxidants on the mutagenicity of bleomycin in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells- revealed by the comet assay

Bleomycin (BLM) is an anticancer drug can induce DNA strand breaks through generation of reactive oxygen species. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is though a free radical scavenger which can play as DNA repair enzyme by decreasing free radical attack to DNA. In order to evaluate the effect of plasma ascorbic acid level on fragility of DNA, two groups of volunteers with different habitual diets were chosen: healthy volunteers from two regions, Ramsar and 20, 30, 50 µg/ml)at 37C for 2 hr and the repaire was performed at 37C for 2 hr. The level of BLM-induced DNA strand breaks was evaluated using alkaline comet assay followed by visual scoring. The plasma Ascorbic acid level was evaluated by spectrophotometric method. According to this study, DNA damage in Tehran group was more than Ramsar but the repaire rate of ramsar group was more than Tehran (p < 0/05). The concentration of plasma Ascorbic acid level in Ramsar group was more than Tehran (p < 0/05). Our result indicates that ascorbic acid probably reduces damage of BLM and increases the rate of repair.

Keywords:

Bleomycin , Vitamin C , DNA strand breaks , Comet Assay