title: beta-Carotene reduces sister chromatid exchanges induced by chemical carcinogens in mouse mammary cells in organ culture.
abstract: Present studies in the mammary epithelial cell transformation model in organ culture showed that presence of beta-carotene during the 24 hr treatment (initiation stage) of the glands with the carcinogens, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (DENA) and N-methylnitrosourea (MNU), caused a highly significant (P less than 0.001-0.01) reduction of SCE induced by the same carcinogens. In contrast, 4-hydroxyphenyl retinamide (4-HPR) which is known to act at the promotional stage of carcinogenesis did not show any significant reduction of SCE. Thus findings suggest that beta-carotene can modify the DNA damaging effect of the carcinogens and thereby may also prevent the initiation of the carcinogenic process.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Manoharan
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Banerjee
mesh_terms: D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D004052:Diethylnitrosamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D017313:Fenretinide; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000166:cytology*; D008770:Methylnitrosourea / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051379:Mice; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D012176:Retinoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D012854:Sister Chromatid Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D012176:Retinoids; D019207:beta Carotene; D017313:Fenretinide; D002338:Carotenoids; D004052:Diethylnitrosamine; D014212:Tretinoin; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D008770:Methylnitrosourea