[Antagonistic effects of metallothionein on genetic damage caused by gamma-rays and mitomycin C].
OBJECTIVE
To study the antagonistic effects of metallothionein (Zn-MT)on genetic damage caused by gamma-rays and mitomycin C (MMC) in the liver of rabbits.


METHODS
Micronucleus test and DNA strand breaks were determined in vitro and in vivo with single-cell gel electrophoresis assay to observe the effects of Zn-MT on the micronucleus formation and cleavage of DNA chain before and after gamma-rays radiation and MMC treatment.


RESULTS
A dose of 664 microg/kg of Zn-MT could inhibit micronucleus formation in the bone marrow of the mice induced by 5 Gy gamma-rays radiation (P < 0.05). Concentrations of 10 and 50 microg/ml Zn-MT could antagonize the increase in bimicronucleus frequency in g12 cells induced by 1 and 3 Gy gamma-rays radiation and 0.3 microg/ml MMC treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). A dose of 50 microg/ml Zn-MT could reduce the DNA single strand breaks caused by 1 Gy gamma-rays radiation, but without statistical significance (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Zn-MT could antagonize the genetic damage to certain extent in the liver of the rabbits caused by gamma-rays radiation and MMC treatment.
Xue
H
H
Department of Health Toxicology, Beijing Medical University, Beijing 100083.
Hao
F
F
Wei
X
X
Wen
X
X
Jiang
R
R
Lin
W
W
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D005720:Gamma Rays; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000633:toxicity*; D011817:Rabbits; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000473:pathology*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D016685:Mitomycin; D008668:Metallothionein