[Effects of vitamins E, C and beta-carotene on DNA damage]

To investigate their effects on lymphocyte damage with supplementation of high-dose vitamins E, C and beta-carotene.

Healthy men aged 50 - 59 years were selected and randomized into the trial and control groups with 50 in each one. In the trial group, 25 mg of beta-carotene, 100 mg vitamin C and 280 mg vitamin E were given to each subject every day for 20 weeks. Whole blood was collected in both the trial and control groups and its lymphocytes separated. Damage to DNA was analyzed with a"comet" electrophoresis technique, and serum levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol were determined by high performance liquid chromatography.

There was no significant difference in the proportions of spontaneous damage to DNA in lymphocytes between the trial and control groups (6.1% vs. 6.8%). But, proportions of damage to DNA in peripheral lymphocytes increased to 36.14%, 59.45, and 69.62%, respectively, after treatment with 30 micromol/L, 100 micromol/L and 300 micromol/L of H(2)O(2).

Supplementation of vitamin E, C and beta-carotene could effectively reduce the damage to DNA caused by H(2)O(2).