title: Carotenoids reduce the chromosomal damage induced by bleomycin in human cultured lymphocytes.
abstract: The supplementation with beta-carotene and canthaxanthin, two carotenoids with and without pro-vitamin A activity, reduced in vitro the number of micronuclei induced in human cultured lymphocytes by the chemotherapeutic radiomimetic drug bleomycin. The genotoxic activity of this substance is supposed to be mediated by a free radical mechanism. The reduction of micronucleated cells was in correlation with donors' carotenoid blood levels. It has been observed that 20 weeks are needed, following the end of carotenoid supplementation, in order to return to the high levels of micronuclei induced by bleomycin. It is suggested that this protective effect is due to the antioxidant properties of carotenoids acting against free radical-mediated genotoxic damage.
authors.affiliation: C. Golgi Institute of General Pathology, University of Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tateo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pizzala
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Stivala
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grazia Verri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Melli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santamaria
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000633:toxicity*; D016644:Canthaxanthin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002877:Chromosomes, Human / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D001761:Bleomycin; D002338:Carotenoids; D016644:Canthaxanthin