title: Carcinogenesis from the standpoint of view of molecular geometry and synergism: relevance of oxygen and magnesium.
abstract: An attempt at a unified explanation of carcinogenesis, comprising physical, chemical and viral agents which are mutually synergistic involves the idea that continually replicated partially denatured chromosomal DNA carries the cancer genetic information. The evidence is circumstantial to date. While interactions and reactions of various heterogeneous chemical agents and absorption of radiant energy are detrimental to the helicity of the DNA, the interactions of magnesium and oxygen seem to be beneficial and thus may protect against cancer. Mechanisms for the damaging effects of various carcinogenic agents as well as for the protective effects of magnesium and oxygen are proposed. The increasing probability of cancer with age could be due to the cumulative actions of diverse carcinogenic agents. Some experimental results in vitro which are relevant to this hypothesis are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D008958:Models, Molecular; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation; D010100:Oxygen; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D004247:DNA; D008274:Magnesium; D010100:Oxygen