Mutagenesis, Vol. 14, No. 1, 107-112,
January 1999
© 1999 UK Environmental Mutagen Society/Oxford University Press
Inhibitory action of melatonin on H2O2- and cyclophosphamide-induced DNA damage
1 Centro di Genetica Evoluzionistica, CNR, c/o Università `La Sapienza', Via degli Apuli 4, 00185 Roma and 2 Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi `Roma TRE`, Roma, Italy
Melatonin, the pineal gland hormone known for its ability to modulate circadian rhythm, has recently been studied in its several functions. It is believed to inhibit cancer growth, to stimulate the immune system and to act as an antioxidant. In particular, this latter activity is ascribed to two different mechanisms: stimulation of radical detoxifying enzymes and scavenging of free radicals. We used this compound in mammalian cells in vitro to investigate its mechanism of action in modulating DNA damage. Cytogenetic and cytofluorimetric analyses were performed. We show that melatonin is able to modulate chromosome damage (chromosomal aberrations and sister chromatid exchanges) induced by cyclophosphamide. Conversely, its involvment in modulating oxidative processes, thereby reducing DNA damage, is less clear. In particular, melatonin is able to decrease H2O2-induced chromosomal aberrations but not sister chromatid exchanges and has been found to induce oxygen species in a cytofluorimetric test (DCFH assay).
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +39 6 4457527; Fax:+39 6 4457529; Email: desalvia{at}axcasp.caspur.it
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