Protective action of an anti-oxidant (L-Ascorbic acid) against genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in mice during p-DAB-induced hepatocarcinogenesis
Surjyo, B.; Anisur, K.B.
Indian Journal of Cancer 41(2): 72-80
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-509X PMID: 15318012 Document Number: 573218
This study examined the protective action of L-ascorbic acid against genotoxicity, cytotoxicity and liver tissue damage in mice with p-dimethylaminoazobenezene (p-DAB)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Mice were chronically fed with 0.06% p-DAB and 0.05% phenobarbital at different time periods (7, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days). A subgroup of these animals were also given 1% L-ascorbic acid. Several assays were periodically conducted (at 6 intervals of fixation) to determine the presence of genotoxic (chromosomal, nuclear and sperm head abnormalities), cytotoxic (based on aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase levels, and lipid peroxidation) and hepatotoxic (based on optical and electron microscopic studies of liver samples at day 60) effects in these animals compared to normal healthy controls. Statistical significance of the data was determined by student t-test. Results suggest that L-ascorbic acid has geno-, cyto- and hepatoprotective activities in mice with p-DAB-induced liver cancer.