Genotoxicity by rapeseed methyl ester and hydrogenated vegetable oil combustion exhaust products in lung epithelial (A549) cells.

Biofuel is an attractive substitute for petrodiesel because of its lower environmental footprint. For instance, the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) emission per fuel energy content is lower for rapeseed methyl ester (RME) than for petrodiesel. This study assesses genotoxicity by extractable organic matter (EOM) of exhaust particles from the combustion of petrodiesel, RME, and hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) in lung epithelial (A549) cells. Genotoxicity was assessed as DNA strand breaks by the alkaline comet assay. EOM from the combustion of petrodiesel and RME generated the same level of DNA strand breaks based on the equal concentration of total PAH (i.e. net increases of 0.13 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.002, 0.25, and 0.12 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.24] lesions per million base pairs, respectively). In comparison, the positive control (etoposide) generated a much higher level of DNA strand breaks (i.e. 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72, 0.97) lesions per million base pairs. Relatively low concentrations of EOM from RME and HVO combustion particles (<116 ng/ml total PAH) did not cause DNA strand breaks in A549 cells, whereas benzo[a]pyrene and PAH-rich EOM from petrodiesel combusted using low oxygen inlet concentration were genotoxic. The genotoxicity was attributed to high molecular weight PAH isomers with 5-6 rings. In summary, the results show that EOM from the combustion of petrodiesel and RME generate the same level of DNA strand breaks on an equal total PAH basis. However, the genotoxic hazard of engine exhaust from on-road vehicles is lower for RME than petrodiesel because of lower PAH emission per fuel energy content.

Inhalation of hydrogenated vegetable oil combustion exhaust and genotoxicity responses in humans.

Biofuels from vegetable oils or animal fats are considered to be more sustainable than petroleum-derived diesel fuel. In this study, we have assessed the effect of hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) exhaust on levels of DNA damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as primary outcome, and oxidative stress and inflammation as mediators of genotoxicity. In a randomized cross-over study, healthy humans were exposed to filtered air, inorganic salt particles, exhausts from combustion of HVO in engines with aftertreatment [i.e. emission with nitrogen oxides and low amounts of particulate matter less than 2.5 µm (approximately 1 µg/m3)], or without aftertreatment (i.e. emission with nitrogen oxides and 93 ± 13 µg/m3 of PM2.5). The subjects were exposed for 3 h and blood samples were collected before, within 1 h after the exposure and 24 h after. None of the exposures caused generation of DNA strand breaks and oxidatively damaged DNA, or affected gene expression of factors related to DNA repair (Ogg1), antioxidant defense (Hmox1) or pro-inflammatory cytokines (Ccl2, Il8 and Tnfa) in PBMCs. The results from this study indicate that short-term HVO exhaust exposure is not associated with genotoxic hazard in humans.

Ciprofloxacin enhances phototoxicity of 5-aminolevulinic acid mediated photodynamic treatment for chordoma cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Chordoma are uncommon aggressive tumors of the skeleton. Surgical resection is often subtotal and adjuvant treatment possibilities are limited as chordomas are highly chemo- and radioresistant. In the present study we examined the impact of 5-ALA PDT on different human chordoma cell lines. Furthermore, we investigated the variation of two parameters: (1.) 5-ALA incubation time and (2.) supplemental use of ciprofloxacin as iron chelator. METHODS: Experiments were realized in vitro with three different human chordoma cell lines: U-CH2, U-CH2B and U-CH14. After pre-incubation for 24 h with various concentrations of ciprofloxacin (1.5 - 5.0 µg/ml), different amounts of 5-ALA (15 - 50 µg/ml) were applied to the cells either for a brief (4 h) or a long (6 h) incubation time. Subsequently cells were exposed to photodynamic radiation. Cell viability was exploited by WST-1 assay. Thus, for each of the three cell lines, two drug combinations (ciprofloxacin plus 5-ALA and 5-ALA only) and two incubation times (short, 4 h and long, 6 h) were tested. Negative control groups were also examined. RESULTS: Supplemental use of ciprofloxacin led to increased cell death in each of the cell lines. Different 5-ALA incubation times (4 h vs. 6 h) showed no significant differences in cell viability except for U-CH2. CONCLUSION: Ciprofloxacin as an ordinary applied antibiotic, enhanced the effect of 5-ALA PDT on different human chordoma cell lines in vitro. The impact was dependent on the dose of ciprofloxacin-5-ALA. There were no notable differences for the tested 5-ALA incubation times. In human chordoma cell lines 5-ALA PDT may effectively be amended by ciprofloxacin.

Anthocyanins and phenolic acids from a wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) powder counteract lipid accumulation in THP-1-derived macrophages.

PURPOSE: Blueberries are a rich source of anthocyanins (ACNs) and phenolic acids (PA), which are hypothesized to protect against development of atherosclerosis. The present study examined the effect of an ACN- and PA-rich fractions, obtained from a wild blueberry powder, on the capacity to counteract lipid accumulation in macrophages derived from monocytic THP-1 cells. In addition, we tested the capacity of pure ACNs and their metabolites to alter lipid accumulation. METHODS: THP-1-derived macrophages were incubated with fatty acids (500 µM oleic/palmitic acid, 2:1 ratio) and different concentrations (from 0.05 to 10 µg mL(-1)) of ACN- and PA-rich fractions, pure ACN standards (malvidin, delphinidin and cyanidin 3-glucoside), and metabolites (syringic, gallic and protocatechuic acids). Lipid accumulation was quantified with the fluorescent dye Nile red. RESULTS: Lipid accumulation was reduced at all concentrations of the ACN-rich fraction tested with a maximum reduction at 10 µg mL(-1) (-27.4%; p < 0.0001). The PA-rich fraction significantly reduced the lipid accumulation only at the low concentrations from 0.05 µg mL(-1) to 0.3 µg mL(-1), with respect to the control with fatty acids. Supplementation with pure ACN compounds (malvidin and delphinidin-3-glucoside and its metabolic products (syringic and gallic acid)) reduced lipid accumulation especially at the low concentrations, while no significant effect was observed after cyanidin-3-glucoside and protocatechuic acid supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated a potential role of both the ACN- and PA-rich fractions and single compounds in the lipid accumulation also at concentrations close to that achievable in vivo.

Acute and subacute pulmonary toxicity and mortality in mice after intratracheal instillation of ZnO nanoparticles in three laboratories.

Inhalation is the main pathway of ZnO exposure in the occupational environment but only few studies have addressed toxic effects after pulmonary exposure to ZnO nanoparticles (NP). Here we present results from three studies of pulmonary exposure and toxicity of ZnO NP in mice. The studies were prematurely terminated because interim results unexpectedly showed severe pulmonary toxicity. High bolus doses of ZnO NP (25 up to 100 µg; ≥1.4 mg/kg) were clearly associated with a dose dependent mortality in the mice. Lower doses (≥6 µg; ≥0.3 mg/kg) elicited acute toxicity in terms of reduced weight gain, desquamation of epithelial cells with concomitantly increased barrier permeability of the alveolar/blood as well as DNA damage. Oxidative stress was shown via a strong increase in lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione in the pulmonary tissue. Two months post-exposure revealed no obvious toxicity for 12.5 and 25 µg on a range of parameters. However, mice that survived a high dose (50 µg; 2.7 mg/kg) had an increased pulmonary collagen accumulation (fibrosis) at a similar level as a high bolus dose of crystalline silica. The recovery from these toxicological effects appeared dose-dependent. The results indicate that alveolar deposition of ZnO NP may cause significant adverse health effects.

Validation of a Manual Protocol for BRAF V600E Mutation-specific Immunohistochemistry.

Detection of BRAF V600E has diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic relevance. The recently developed BRAF V600E mutation-specific antibody has evolved into a feasible alternative to DNA analysis. The plethora of immunohistochemical protocols makes implementation tedious and, here we tested a set of manual and automated protocols and compared test performance with sequencing results. For assays, we employed formalin-fixed, in part decalcified, and paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Empiric testing of manual protocols included 10 variables in 17 protocols. Automated immunohistochemical staining and BRAF pyrosequencing served as independent test methods. Test performance measures were compared without considering 1 method as a standard. Four well-fixed samples (2WT/2Mut) were used for testing of all protocols and indicated 2 correctly classifying procedures. Practical performance assessment employed 33 independent tissue samples, composed of 27 leukemias (by pyrosequencing: 8 wild-type; 18 mutated; 1 noninformative) and 6 melanomas (V600E; V600K; wild-type, 2 each). Manual V600E staining was positive in 20 cases (19 of 20 V600E-containing samples plus the 1 sample that was noninformative), whereas all wild-type and V600K cases were immunonegative. Manual or automated staining as well as pyrosequencing would have missed an equal number of V600E-mutated cases and the correlation coefficient for these methods was 0.75 to 0.93 (substantial to almost perfect); the Youden index was 0.95. Detection of V600E-mutated BRAF at the protein level in routine and decalcified tissue samples is possible, and the presented manual protocols should expedite implementation in routine diagnostic practice. Our results indicate that both molecular techniques should be considered complementary.

A single portion of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L) improves protection against DNA damage but not vascular function in healthy male volunteers.

It has been suggested that anthocyanin-rich foods may exert antioxidant effects and improve vascular function as demonstrated mainly in vitro and in the animal model. Blueberries are rich sources of anthocyanins and we hypothesized that their intake could improve cell protection against oxidative stress and affect endothelial function in humans. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of one portion (300 g) of blueberries on selected markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant protection (endogenous and oxidatively induced DNA damage) and of vascular function (changes in peripheral arterial tone and plasma nitric oxide levels) in male subjects. In a randomized cross-over design, separated by a wash out period ten young volunteers received one portion of blueberries ground by blender or one portion of a control jelly. Before and after consumption (at 1, 2, and 24 hours), blood samples were collected and used to evaluate anthocyanin absorption (through mass spectrometry), endogenous and H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage in blood mononuclear cells (through the comet assay), and plasma nitric oxide concentrations (through a fluorometric assay). Peripheral arterial function was assessed by means of Endo-PAT 2000. Blueberries significantly reduced (P < .01) H(2)O(2)-induced DNA damage (-18%) 1 hour after blueberry consumption compared to control. No significant differences were observed for endogenous DNA damage, peripheral arterial function and nitric oxide levels after blueberry intake. In conclusion, one portion of blueberries seems sufficient to improve cell antioxidant defense against DNA damage, but further studies are necessary to understand their role on vascular function.

Effect of a wild blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) drink intervention on markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial function in humans with cardiovascular risk factors.

PURPOSE: Wild blueberries (WB) (Vaccinium angustifolium) are rich sources of polyphenols, such as flavonols, phenolic acids and anthocyanins (ACNs), reported to decrease the risk of cardiovascular and degenerative diseases. This study investigated the effect of regular consumption of a WB or a placebo (PL) drink on markers of oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial function in subjects with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Eighteen male volunteers (ages 47.8 ± 9.7 years; body mass index 24.8 ± 2.6 kg/m²) received according to a cross-over design, a WB (25 g freeze-dried powder, providing 375 mg of ACNs) or a PL drink for 6 weeks, spaced by a 6-week wash-out. Endogenous and oxidatively induced DNA damage in blood mononuclear cells, serum interleukin levels, reactive hyperemia index, nitric oxide, soluble vascular adhesion molecule concentration and other variables were analyzed. RESULTS: Wild blueberry drink intake significantly reduced the levels of endogenously oxidized DNA bases (from 12.5 ± 5.6 % to 9.6 ± 3.5 %, p ≤ 0.01) and the levels of H2O2-induced DNA damage (from 45.8 ± 7.9 % to 37.2 ± 9.1 %, p ≤ 0.01), while no effect was found after the PL drink. No significant differences were detected for markers of endothelial function and the other variables under study. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the consumption of the WB drink for 6 weeks significantly reduced the levels of oxidized DNA bases and increased the resistance to oxidatively induced DNA damage. Future studies should address in greater detail the role of WB in endothelial function.

TRAIL-induced apoptosis is preferentially mediated via TRAIL receptor 1 in pancreatic carcinoma cells and profoundly enhanced by XIAP inhibitors.

PURPOSE: We previously reported that small molecule X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) inhibitors synergize with soluble TRAIL to trigger apoptosis in pancreatic carcinoma cells. Because cancers may preferentially signal via 1 of the 2 agonistic TRAIL receptors, we investigated these receptors as a therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer in the present study. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined TRAIL receptor expression and cytotoxicity of specific monoclonal antibodies to TRAIL-R1 (HGS-ETR1, mapatumumab) or TRAIL-R2 (HGS-ETR2, lexatumumab) and of TRAIL receptor selective mutants alone and in combination with small molecule XIAP inhibitors in pancreatic cancer cell lines, in primary specimens, and in a xenotransplant model in vivo. RESULTS: The majority of primary pancreatic carcinoma samples and all cell lines express one or both agonistic TRAIL receptors. Nine of 13 cell lines are more sensitive to mapatumumab-induced apoptosis, whereas lexatumumab requires cross-linking for maximal activity. Similarly, TRAIL-R1 selective mutants display higher cytotoxicity than TRAIL-R2 selective mutants. Small molecule XIAP inhibitors preferentially act in concert with mapatumumab to trigger caspase activation, caspase-dependent apoptosis, and suppress clonogenic survival. Also, primary cultured pancreatic carcinoma cells are more susceptible to mapatumumab than lexatumumab, which is significantly enhanced by a XIAP inhibitor. Importantly, combined treatment with mapatumumab and a XIAP inhibitor cooperates to suppress tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Mapatumumab exerts antitumor activity, especially in combination with XIAP inhibitors against most pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, whereas lexatumumab requires cross-linking for optimal cytotoxicity. These findings have important implications for the design of TRAIL-based protocols for pancreatic cancer.

A new missense mutation in the leptin gene causes mild obesity and hypogonadism without affecting T cell responsiveness.

OBJECTIVE: Leptin, a protein product of adipocytes, plays a critical role in the regulation of body weight, immune function, pubertal development, and fertility. So far, only three homozygous mutations in the leptin gene in a total of 13 individuals have been found leading to a phenotype of extreme obesity with marked hyperphagia and impaired immune function. DESIGN: Serum leptin was measured by ELISA. The leptin gene (OB) was sequenced in patient DNA. The effect of the identified novel mutation was assessed using HEK293 cells. RESULTS: We describe a 14-yr-old child of nonobese Austrian parents without known consanguinity. She had a body mass index of 31.5 kg/m(2) (+2.46 SD score) and undetectable leptin serum levels. Sequencing of the leptin gene revealed a hitherto unknown homozygous transition (TTA to TCA) in exon 3 of the LEP gene resulting in a L72S replacement in the leptin protein. RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the mutant leptin was expressed in the patient's adipose tissue but retained within the cell. Using a heterologous cell system, we confirmed this finding and demonstrated that the side chain of Leu72 is crucial for intracellular leptin trafficking. Our patient showed signs of a hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. However, in contrast to the literature, she showed only mild obesity and a normal T cell responsiveness. CONCLUSIONS: These findings shed a new light on the clinical consequences of leptin deficiency. Congenital leptin deficiency should be considered possible in pediatric patients with mild obesity even if parents are lean and unrelated.

Biomarkers of oxidative damage to DNA and repair.

Oxidative-stress-induced damage to DNA includes a multitude of lesions, many of which are mutagenic and have multiple roles in cancer and aging. Many lesions have been characterized by MS-based methods after extraction and digestion of DNA. These preparation steps may cause spurious base oxidation, which is less likely to occur with methods such as the comet assay, which are based on nicking of the DNA strand at modified bases, but offer less specificity. The European Standards Committee on Oxidative DNA Damage has concluded that the true levels of the most widely studied lesion, 8-oxodG (8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine), in cellular DNA is between 0.5 and 5 lesions per 10(6) dG bases. Base excision repair of oxidative damage to DNA can be assessed by nicking assays based on oligonucleotides with lesions or the comet assay, by mRNA expression levels or, in the case of, e.g., OGG1 (8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1), responsible for repair of 8-oxodG, by genotyping. Products of repair in DNA or the nucleotide pool, such as 8-oxodG, excreted into the urine can be assessed by MS-based methods and generally reflects the rate of damage. Experimental and population-based studies indicate that many environmental factors, including particulate air pollution, cause oxidative damage to DNA, whereas diets rich in fruit and vegetables or antioxidant supplements may reduce the levels and enhance repair. Urinary excretion of 8-oxodG, genotype and expression of OGG1 have been associated with risk of cancer in cohort settings, whereas altered levels of damage, repair or urinary excretion in case-control settings may be a consequence rather than the cause of the disease.

DNA repair phenotype and dietary antioxidant supplementation.

Phytochemicals may protect cellular DNA by direct antioxidant effect or modulation of the DNA repair activity. We investigated the repair activity towards oxidised DNA in human mononuclear blood cells (MNBC) in two placebo-controlled antioxidant intervention studies as follows: (1) well-nourished subjects who ingested 600 g fruits and vegetables, or tablets containing the equivalent amount of vitamins and minerals, for 24 d; (2) poorly nourished male smokers who ingested 500 mg vitamin C/d as slow- or plain-release formulations together with 182 mg vitamin E/d for 4 weeks. The mean baseline levels of DNA repair incisions were 65.2 (95 % CI 60.4, 70.0) and 86.1 (95 % CI 76.2, 99.9) among the male smokers and well-nourished subjects, respectively. The male smokers also had high baseline levels of oxidised guanines in MNBC. After supplementation, only the male smokers supplemented with slow-release vitamin C tablets had increased DNA repair activity (27 (95 % CI 12, 41) % higher incision activity). These subjects also benefited from the supplementation by reduced levels of oxidised guanines in MNBC. In conclusion, nutritional status, DNA repair activity and DNA damage are linked, and beneficial effects of antioxidants might only be observed among poorly nourished subjects with high levels of oxidised DNA damage and low repair activity.

Vitamin C supplementation decreases oxidative DNA damage in mononuclear blood cells of smokers.

BACKGROUND: Antioxidants, in particular vitamin C, have been suggested to decrease oxidative DNA damage. Such effects have been shown in mononuclear blood cells in the first few hours after ingestion, whereas studies of longer-term effects in well-nourished humans have been mainly negative. AIM: To investigate the antioxidant effect of vitamin C in terms of oxidative DNA damage measured by the comet assay and DNA repair measured by expression of OGG1 mRNA in blood cells of male smokers given 2 x 250 mg vitamin C daily as plain or slow release tablets combined with plain release vitamin E 2 x 91 mg, or placebo for 4 wk. RESULTS: This study showed a difference in DNA protective effects between a slow release and a plain release vitamin C formulation. Ingestion of slow release vitamin C formulation was associated with fewer endonuclease III and formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase sensitive sites measured by the comet assay in mononuclear blood cells obtained 4 h and 8 h after a single tablet and 4 wk after two tablets a day. Ingestion of the vitamin formulation with plain release only indicated a damage-reducing effect 4 h after intake of a single tablet, and the effect was more apparent on endonuclease III than formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase sites. Overall the slow release tablets of vitamin C formulation had a more pronounced and a sustained protective effect on base damage compared with the plain release tablets. Plasma vitamin E was unaltered in the first 12 h after ingestion of a single tablet, suggesting that the antioxidant effect was mediated by vitamin C. Differences in plasma vitamin C levels at steady state could not explain the difference between the two vitamin C formulations, whereas wider amplitudes of plasma vitamin C were seen after ingestion of plain release formulation compared to slow release formulation. Assessment of OGG1 mRNA levels by RT-PCR did not indicate increased expression of this DNA repair gene after 4 wk of vitamin supplementation. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that long-term vitamin C supplementation at high dose, i. e. 500 mg together with vitamin E in moderate dose, 182 mg, decreases the steady-state level of oxidative DNA damage in mononuclear blood cells of smokers.

Interventions with antioxidants and nutrients in relation to oxidative DNA damage and repair.

Cells are constantly exposed to oxidants from metabolic and other biochemical reactions as well as external factors, suggesting that DNA repair systems and nutritional antioxidants are important determinants for low levels of DNA damage and cancer risk. The effects of single antioxidants, as well as various vegetables, fruits and carotenoid- and polyphenolic-rich products, have been assessed with biomarkers, mainly including DNA damage in white blood cells (WBC), urinary excretion of oxidized bases and nucleosides and DNA repair capacity. The basal levels of oxidative DNA damage, and effects of the interventions have been rather variable, possibly reflecting differences in the populations, regimens, and the type of assays. In general, single dose antioxidant interventions have shown protective effects with respect to WBC DNA oxidation. Studies with continuous ingestion of antioxidants show mixed results with respect to effects on oxidative DNA damage in WBC, possibly due to various problems with design, statistical power and period effects. Studies with only male subjects appear to show consistent antioxidant effects in terms of reduced levels of oxidized pyrimidines. Investigations of oxidatively stressed subjects, e.g. HIV-infected patients or diabetics, suggest beneficial outcomes in populations with high initial levels of oxidative DNA damage. Recent research on the effect of antioxidants on DNA repair enzymes suggest effects in terms of increased removal of oxidized purines, whereas mRNA levels of the relevant DNA repair genes appears to be unaffected by an antioxidant-rich diet. In the future, care should be taken with respect to design of intervention studies and considerations of gender effect, genotypes of defence enzymes as well as DNA repair capacity.

No effect of 600 grams fruit and vegetables per day on oxidative DNA damage and repair in healthy nonsmokers.

In several epidemiological studies, high intakes of fruits and vegetables have been associated with a lower incidence of cancer. Theoretically, intake of antioxidants by consumption of fruits and vegetables should protect against reactive oxygen species and decrease the formation of oxidative DNA damage. We set up a parallel 24-day dietary placebo-controlled intervention study in which 43 subjects were randomized into three groups receiving an antioxidant-free basal diet and 600 g of fruits and vegetables, or a supplement containing the corresponding amounts of vitamins and minerals, or placebo. Blood and urine samples were collected before, once a week, and 4 weeks after the intervention period. The level of strand breaks, endonuclease III sites, formamidopyrimidine sites, and sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide was assessed in mononuclear blood cells by the comet assay. Excretion of 7-hydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanine was measured in urine. The expressions of oxoguanine glycosylase 1 and excision repair cross complementing 1 DNA repair genes, determined by real-time reverse transcription-PCR of mRNAs, were investigated in leukocytes. Consumption of fruits and vegetables or vitamins and minerals had no effect on oxidative DNA damage measured in mononuclear cell DNA or urine. Hydrogen peroxide sensitivity, detected by the comet assay, did not differ between the groups. Expression of excision repair cross complementing 1 and oxoguanine glycosylase 1 in leukocytes was not related to the diet consumed. Our results show that after 24 days of complete depletion of fruits and vegetables, or daily ingestion of 600 g of fruit and vegetables, or the corresponding amount of vitamins and minerals, the level of oxidative DNA damage was unchanged. This suggests that the inherent antioxidant defense mechanisms are sufficient to protect circulating mononuclear blood cells from reactive oxygen species.

Oxidative DNA damage in vitamin C-supplemented guinea pigs after intratracheal instillation of diesel exhaust particles.

The health effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are thought to involve oxidative damage. We have investigated the effect of intratracheal DEP instillation to guinea pigs in three groups of 12 animals each given 0, 0.7, or 2.1 mg. Five days later guinea pigs exposed to DEP had increased levels of oxidized amino acids (gamma-glutamyl semialdehyde), DNA strand breaks, and 7-hydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) in the lung. Bulky DNA ad- ducts were not significantly elevated in the lung. The antioxidant enzyme activity of glutathione reductase was increased in the lung of DEP-exposed guinea pigs, whereas glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities were unaltered. There was no difference in DNA strand breaks in lymphocytes or urinary excretion of 8-oxodG at the two doses tested. Protein oxidations in plasma and in erythrocytes were not altered by DEP exposure. The concentrations of ascorbate in liver, lung, and plasma were unaltered by the DEP exposure. The results indicate that in guinea pigs DEP causes oxidative DNA damage rather than bulky DNA adducts in the lung. Guinea pigs, which are similar to humans with respect to vitamin C metabolism, may serve as a new model for the study of oxidative damage induced by particulate matter.

Oxidative DNA damage in human white blood cells in dietary antioxidant intervention studies.

Many epidemiologic studies have addressed the possible preventive effects of antioxidants in disease causation and progression. With the use of molecular techniques, it is feasible to investigate specific properties of antioxidants in intervention studies. The most widely used techniques to investigate oxidative DNA damage in white blood cells are the measurement of 7-hydroxy-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine and the comet assay. The types of antioxidant intervention studies include those involving single or multiple supplementations of vitamin C, vitamin E, or carotenoids and those involving various natural food products (eg, carrot juice). In short-term intervention studies (usually weeks or a few months), results have been mixed. Single-dosing studies found that decreased oxidative DNA damage lasted only hours after antioxidant supplementation, suggesting that the preventive effect is relatively short. In addition, many of the positive studies were not placebo-controlled, thus leaving a possibility of false-positive results caused by period effects, eg, seasonal variation, changes in the lifestyles of the subjects, or variation in measurements over time. Because participation in an antioxidant intervention study may cause changes in dietary habits and because seasonal changes may have profound effects, it is recommended that future studies have a placebo-controlled, parallel design rather than a crossover design.