title: DNA content alterations in Tetrahymena pyriformis macronucleus after exposure to food preservatives sodium nitrate and sodium benzoate.
abstract: The toxicity, in terms of changes in the DNA content, of two food preservatives, sodium nitrate and sodium benzoate was studied on the protozoan Tetrahymena pyriformis using DNA image analysis technology. For this purpose, selected doses of both food additives were administered for 2 h to protozoa cultures and DNA image analysis of T. pyriformis nuclei was performed. The analysis was based on the measurement of the Mean Optical Density which represents the cellular DNA content. The results have shown that after exposure of the protozoan cultures to doses equivalent to ADI, a statistically significant increase in the macronuclear DNA content compared to the unexposed control samples was observed. The observed increase in the macronuclear DNA content is indicative of the stimulation of the mitotic process and the observed increase in MOD, accompanied by a stimulation of the protozoan proliferation activity is in consistence with this assumption. Since alterations at the DNA level such as DNA content and uncontrolled mitogenic stimulation have been linked with chemical carcinogenesis, the results of the present study add information on the toxicogenomic profile of the selected chemicals and may potentially lead to reconsideration of the excessive use of nitrates aiming to protect public health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, GR-26504, Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Ariadni C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Loutsidou
authors.forename: Vasiliki I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Hatzi
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Chasapis
authors.forename: Georgia I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Terzoudi
authors.forename: Chara A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Spiliopoulou
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Stefanidou
mesh_terms: D004261:DNA Replication / Q000187:drug effects*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000633:toxicity*; D048648:Macronucleus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects; D009566:Nitrates / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020160:Sodium Benzoate / Q000633:toxicity*; D013769:Tetrahymena pyriformis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D005520:Food Preservatives; D009566:Nitrates; C031618:sodium nitrate; D020160:Sodium Benzoate