Saura C. Sahu

Interactions of flavonoids, trace metals, and oxygen: nuclear DNA damage and lipid peroxidation induced by myricetin.

The extent of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation induced by myricetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid, were studied in isolated rat liver nuclei under aerobic conditions. Myricetin induced significant (P < 0.05) concentration-dependent nuclear DNA degradation concurrent with lipid peroxidation; these effects were enhanced by iron (III) or copper (II). Catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), mannitol and sodium azide did not inhibit myricetin-induced nuclear DNA damage in the presence of iron (III) or copper (II). However, all of these antioxidants stimulated myricetin-induced DNA damage in the presence of copper (II). Lipid peroxidation induced by myricetin was significantly inhibited only by SOD in the presence of copper (II), whereas it was enhanced by catalase and sodium azide in the presence of iron (III). These results demonstrate the pro-oxidant properties of polyphenolic flavonoids, which are generally considered to be antioxidants and anticarcinogens, and suggest a dual role for these flavonoids in mutagenesis and carcinogenesis.

Effects of antioxidants on quercetin-induced nuclear DNA damage and lipid peroxidation.

The effects of catalase, superoxide dismutase, mannitol, glutathione, and diallyl sulfide on quercetin-induced DNA damage and lipid peroxidation were investigated in a model system of isolated rat-liver nuclei under aerobic conditions and in the presence of equimolar iron or copper. Mannitol produced a small but significant inhibition of the concurrent nuclear DNA damage and lipid peroxidation induced by quercetin in the presence of iron or copper. Catalase significantly decreased quercetin-induced nuclear DNA damage only in the presence of iron and had no significant effect on lipid peroxidation. Superoxide dismutase showed no significant effect on nuclear DNA damage, but stimulated the quercetin-induced lipid peroxidation only in the presence of copper. Glutathione significantly inhibited the nuclear lipid peroxidation but enhanced the DNA damage. Diallyl sulfide significantly enhanced the nuclear DNA damage but stimulated the lipid peroxidation only in the presence of iron. These results suggest that the reactive oxygen species, especially the hydroxyl radicals, are responsible for the concurrent lipid peroxidation and DNA damage induced by quercetin in the presence of iron or copper in isolated rat-liver nuclei.

Effect of ascorbic acid and curcumin on quercetin-induced nuclear DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and protein degradation

The effects of ascorbic acid and curcumin on quercetin-induced DNA damage, lipid peroxidation protein degradation were investigated in a model system of isolated rat-liver nuclei under aerobic conditions and in the presence of equimolar concentrations of iron or copper. Neither ascorbic acid nor curcumin inhibited quercetin-induced nuclear DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, or protein degradation. In fact, both antioxidants stimulated the oxidative damage to nuclear macromolecules. Ascorbic acid significantly increased the quercetin-induced nuclear DNA damage in the presence of either iron or copper. The increases in quercetin-induced nuclear lipid peroxidation and protein degradation by ascorbic acid were statistically significant only in the presence of iron or copper, respectively. Similarly, stimulation of quercetin-induced DNA damage and lipid peroxidation by curcumin was statistically significant only in the presence of copper or iron, respectively. Curcumin had no significant effect on nuclear protein degradation. These results demonstrate the pro-oxidant properties of ascorbic acid and curcumin, compounds that also demonstrate antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Ascorbic acid and curcumin may therefore each have a dual role in carcinogenesis.

Quercetin-induced lipid peroxidation and DNa damage in isolated rat-liver nuclei

The extent of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage induced by quercetin were studied under aerobic conditions in isolated rat-liver nuclei. The effects of iron and copper ions on these two toxic oxidative processes were also investigated. Quercetin induced significant (P less than 0.05) concentration-dependent nuclear lipid peroxidation concurrent with DNA degradation; these effects were enhanced by iron and copper ions. The results suggest that the reactive oxygen species generated by quercetin autoxidation, catalyzed by iron and copper ions, are responsible for the concurrent lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in isolated rat-liver nuclei.

Comparative genotoxicity of nanosilver in human liver HepG2 and colon Caco2 cells evaluated by fluorescent microscopy of cytochalasin B-blocked micronucleus formation

As a consequence of the increased use of silver nanoparticles in food, food contact materials, dietary supplements and cosmetics to prevent fungal and bacterial growth, there is a need for validated rapid screening methods to assess the safety of nanoparticle exposure. This study evaluated two widely used in vitro cell culture models, human liver HepG2 cells and human colon Caco2 cells, as tools for assessing the potential genotoxicity of 20‐nm nanosilver. The average silver nanoparticle size as determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was 20.4 nm. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed no large agglomeration of the silver nanoparticles. The silver concentration in a 20‐nm nanosilver solution determined by the inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) analysis was 0.962 mg ml−1. Analysis by ICP‐MS and TEM demonstrated the uptake of 20‐nm silver by both HepG2 and Caco2 cells. Genotoxicity was determined by the cytochalasin B‐blocked micronucleus assay with acridine orange staining and fluorescence microscopy. Concentration‐ and time‐dependent increases in the frequency of binucleated cells with micronuclei induced by the nanosilver was observed in the concentration range of 0.5 to 15 µg ml−1 in both HepG2 and Caco2 cells compared with the control. Our results indicated that HepG2 cells were more sensitive than Caco2 cells in terms of micronuclei formation induced by nanosilver exposure. In summary, the results of this study indicate that the widely used in vitro models, HepG2 and Caco2 cells in culture, represent potential screening models for prediction of genotoxicity of silver nanoparticles by in vitro micronucleus assay. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.