title: [Effect of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol) on the frequency of chromosomal damage in lymphocytes from patients with ataxia telangiectasia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In ataxia telangiectasia (A-T), the lack of a functional ATM kinase is associated with disturbances in the processing of DNA damage and a chronic oxidative stress. These disturbances may be responsible for an increment of chromosomal damage in A-T cells.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the in vitro effect of vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol) on the frequency of chromosomal damage of lymphocytes from patients with A-T.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients with A-T and age-sex matched controls were studied. Chromosomal damage in mitosis was evaluated in lymphocytes cultures both under basal conditions and when G2 repair was prevented by 5 mM caffeine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In cells from patients with A-T, vitamin E induced a 57.1 and 47.9% decrease in chromosomal damage under basal and inhibited G2 repair conditions, respectively. However, there was a non significant improvement in their repair activity. Vitamin E effects on chromosomal damage was not significant in control subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin E reduces chromosomal damage in lymphocytes from patients with ataxia telangiectasia.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Genética Humana, ICBM, Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina-Universidad de Chile.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marcelain
authors.forename: Carmen Luz
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Navarrete
authors.forename: Mireya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bravo
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Be
authors.forename: Juana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pincheira
mesh_terms: D001260:Ataxia Telangiectasia / Q000235:genetics*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D016195:G2 Phase; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002110:Caffeine; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol