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Beta-glucan inhibits the genotoxicity of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and cisplatin

Amany A Tohamy1, Akmal A El-Ghor, Soheir M El-Nahas

  • 1Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.

Mutation Research
|October 22, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Beta-glucan (betaG) protects against chromosomal damage caused by chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin. This biological response modifier reduces genotoxicity and restores cell activity, aiding cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Chemotherapy drugs can induce genotoxicity, causing chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow and spermatogonial cells.
  • Biological response modifiers like beta-glucan (betaG) are known for their immunopotentiating effects.
  • Investigating the protective role of betaG against chemotherapy-induced genotoxicity is crucial for improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the inhibitory effects of beta-glucan on chromosomal aberrations induced by anti-neoplastic drugs.
  • To evaluate the protective potential of beta-glucan in bone marrow and spermatogonial cells.
  • To explore the mechanisms underlying beta-glucan's protective effects against chemotherapy-induced genotoxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were pre-treated with beta-glucan (100 mg/kg bw, i.p.) before administration of anti-neoplastic drugs: cyclophosphamide (CP), adriamycin (ADR), or cisplatin.
  • Chromosomal aberrations were scored in bone marrow and spermatogonial cells.
  • Mitotic activity of bone marrow cells was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Beta-glucan pre-treatment significantly reduced chromosomal aberrations induced by CP, ADR, and cisplatin in both bone marrow and spermatogonial cells.
  • The percentage reduction in aberrations ranged from 26.9% to 57.7% in bone marrow and 44.4% to 57.1% in spermatogonial cells.
  • Beta-glucan also restored the suppressed mitotic activity of bone marrow cells.

Conclusions:

  • Beta-glucan exhibits significant protective effects against chemotherapy-induced genotoxicity.
  • Beta-glucan's free-radical scavenging ability likely contributes to its protective mechanism.
  • These findings suggest beta-glucan can mitigate genotoxicity associated with anti-neoplastic drugs, complementing its immunomodulatory role in cancer therapy.

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