title: DNA damage induced by paclitaxel and DNA repair capability of peripheral blood lymphocytes as evaluated by the alkaline comet assay.
abstract: This study was designed to assess whether the chemotherapeutic drug paclitaxel can induce DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes of human healthy donors, and to evaluate if such damage could be repaired. Venous blood was collected by routine venipuncture, the lymphocytes were isolated and cultured and then treated with 100nM, 500nM, 10microM, and 30microM of taxol for 4h. The alkaline comet assay technique was used to quantify the level of DNA damage and the DNA repair in lymphocytes. A significant increase in DNA damage was achieved when the cells were incubated with paclitaxel concentrations of 10microM or above. To test the DNA repair capability, the lymphocytes were allowed to recover for 2, 4, 6, and 24h. The DNA damage was almost completely repaired after 24h of incubation demonstrating a time-dependent repair capability. In conclusion, we demonstrate that paclitaxel induces DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes and that this damage can be repaired.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Medicine and Biology of Cuyo, Regional Center for Scientific and Technological Research and Argentine Foundation for Cancer Research, C.C. 855-5500 Mendoza, Argentina.
authors.forename: María Teresita
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Branham
authors.forename: Silvina Beatriz
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Nadin
authors.forename: Laura María
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Vargas-Roig
authors.forename: Daniel Ramón
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Ciocca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000468:Alkalies; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D020552:Comet Assay; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects*; D004249:DNA Damage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004247:DNA; D017239:Paclitaxel