An antioxidant protects against the clastogenic effects of benzo[a]-pyrene in the newt in vivo.
The clastogenic effect of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) was observed in newt larvae by the formation of micronuclei in circulating red blood cells (RBCs). The level of micronucleated RBCs depended on the concentration of B[a]P (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 p.p.m.) in the water in which the animals were reared. The synthetic antioxidant, 2(3)-tert-butyl(4) hydroxyanisole (BHA), currently used as a food additive (E 320), was added to the water at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 p.p.m. It reduced the clastogenic effect of B[a]P in the test larvae, with the most marked effect at a concentration of 0.5 p.p.m. The genotoxicity of B[a]P and the protective action of BHA in the newt are discussed.
Fernandez
M
M
Université Paul Sabatier, Centre de Biologie du Développement 118, Toulouse, France.
Jaylet
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity*; D002083:Butylated Hydroxyanisole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D007814:Larva; D009154:Mutation; D012455:Salamandridae / Q000235:genetics*
D000975:Antioxidants; D002083:Butylated Hydroxyanisole; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene