Beta-carotene enhances hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage in human hepatocellular HepG2 cells.
In this study, the alkaline version of the comet assay has been used to determine the effect of beta-carotene supplementation (10 microM) on peroxide-initiated free radical-mediated DNA damage in human HepG2 hepatoma cells. In supplemented cells, beta-carotene failed to afford any protection against hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA strand breaks. Indeed, levels of strand breaks in supplemented cells were significantly higher than in cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide alone, especially after a long incubation period. In contrast, beta-carotene afforded significant levels of protection against DNA strand breaks when cells were treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. In this case, the level of protection increased as supplementation continued.
Woods
J A
JA
School of Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
Bilton
R F
RF
Young
A J
AJ
D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology
D019207:beta Carotene; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide