Beta-glucan extracted from the medicinal mushroom Agaricus blazei prevents the genotoxic effects of benzo[a]pyrene in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2.
The mushroom Agaricus blazei is studied for its nutraceutical potential and as a medicinal supplement. The aim of the present study was to investigate the chemoprotective effect of beta-glucan extracted from the mushroom A. blazei against DNA damage induced by benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), using the comet assay (genotoxicity) and micronucleus assay with cytokinesis block (mutagenicity) in a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2). To elucidate the possible beta-glucan mechanism of action, desmutagenesis or bioantimutagenesis types, three treatment protocols were tested: simultaneous, pre-treatment, and presimultaneous. The results showed that beta-glucan does not exert genotoxic or mutagenic effect, but that it does protect against DNA damage caused by B[a]P in every protocol tested. The data suggest that beta-glucan acts through binding to B[a]P or the capture of free radicals produced during its activation. On the other hand, the pre-treatment results also suggest the possibility that beta-glucan modulates cell metabolism.
Laboratório de Genética Toxicológica, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Paraná 86951-990, Brazil.
José Pedro Friedmann
JP
Angeli
Lúcia Regina
LR
Ribeiro
Marilanda Ferreira
MF
Bellini
Mário Sérgio
MS
Mantovani
D000364:Agaricus / Q000737:chemistry*; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000633:toxicity; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D020552:Comet Assay; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D009153:Mutagens; D047071:beta-Glucans; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene