Assessment of the protective effects of selected dietary anticarcinogens against DNA damage and cytogenetic effects induced by benzo[a]pyrene in C57BL/6J mice

The protective action in C57BL/6 J mice from orally administered ellagic acid (EA), benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), an extract of epigallocatechins (Tegreen®) as well as chlorophyllin (CHL) against benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)-induced DNA damage and cytogenetic effects was investigated. In pilot experiment the comet assay indicated protective effects for all compounds, while such activity was confined to EA and CH with respect to B[a]P-DNA adducts and micronuclei. EA and CH were chosen for the main study where the levels of DNA adducts in liver after injection of 30 mg B[a]P/kg b.w. did not differ from those found for animals exposed to B[a]P and treated with the protective substances. In leukocytes no significant protective effect of CHL was detected while a 2-fold increase of adduct concentrations was observed after co-administration of EA. In the comet assay CHL or EA caused a 3-fold decrease of SSB, and a 2-fold decrease of FPG sites in comparison to animals treated with B[a]P. CHL or EA showed a significant protective effect against B[a]P-induced MN in polychromatic erythrocytes in bone marrow. In contrast, flow cytometry measurements in peripheral blood indicated the MN frequency after treatment with CHL or EA almost twice as high as that recorded for B[a]P alone.