Effect of vitamin E and beta-carotene on DNA strand breakage induced by tobacco-specific nitrosamines and stimulated human phagocytes
Weitberg, A.B.; Corvese, D.
Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research Cr 16(1): 11-14
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-9078 PMID: 9148854 Document Number: 474007
The tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), nitrosonornicotine (NNN) and 4-(N-methyl-N-nitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), are metabolites of nicotine and are major carcinogens in cigarette smoke. To evaluate the effect of oxygen radicals on TSNA-induced genetic damage, cultured human lung cells treated with NNN or NNK (5 mM) were exposed to stimulated human phagocytes and assayed for single-strand DNA breaks. TSNAs or stimulated phagocytes alone caused a significant increase in strand breakage which was augmented in an additive fashion when the two were combined. Pre-treating the cells with vitamin E or beta -carotene (10-5 M) provided significant protection against the induction of DNA damage but vitamin E was significantly more effective than beta -carotene. It was concluded that these data suggest a possible approach to the chemoprevention of tobacco-induced carcinogenesis.
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