title: Ex vivo assessment of lymphocyte antioxidant status using the comet assay.
abstract: Lymphocytes were isolated from volunteers before and after receiving a single supplement of vitamin C, vitamin E or beta-carotene. The lymphocytes were treated with H2O2, and DNA strand breaks were measured by single cell gel electrophoresis (the comet assay). Significant protection against oxidative DNA damage was evident 2-4 h after vitamin C intake, and 18-24 h after consumption of the other antioxidants. Lymphocytes from smokers were more sensitive to DNA damage than those from non-smokers, and they showed at least as great a protective effect with antioxidants.
authors.affiliation: Boyd Orr Research Centre, University of Aberdeen, Bucksburn, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Panayiotidis
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002469:Cell Separation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid