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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
A High-Throughput Comet Assay Approach for Assessing Cellular DNA Damage
Published on: May 10, 2022
Can the use of medical muds cause genotoxicity in eukaryotic cells? A trial using comet assay
Gellért Gerencsér1, Katalin Szendi, Károly Berényi
1Department of Environmental Health, Institute of Public Health Medicine, University of Pécs, Szigeti Str. 12, 7624, Pecs, Hungary, gellert.gerencser@gmail.com.
Abstract:
Despite the lack of knowledge of their exact effects, peloids (natural muds) are widely applied in clinical treatment and prevention of different diseases, especially in rheumatic and gynecological disorders or skin diseases. Primarily we have information on their inorganic components, but only limited data are available on the organic components and nothing on their mechanism of chemical action. The objective of the present study was to detect the DNA-damaging effects (possible genotoxic effect) of peloid samples using the single-cell comet assay on Long Evans rat lymphocytes, human lymphocytes, and Eisenia fetida coelomocytes. Rat and human lymphocytes were exposed to the in toto peloid samples, in vitro. The Eisenia cells were extracted from the coelom of animals kept in the intact peloid sample. An indicator derived from the DNA fluorescence intensity was used in the statistical evaluation. The predominantly organic (Hévíz) sample showed a significant alteration from the negative control in several cases, while the inorganic (Kolop) applied did not. A higher quantity of organic compounds may have an important role in the emergence of DNA damage. The results revealed that medical muds have not only positive health effects but can also contain substances with potential human toxicity risk. Our research provides essential steps towards the creation of a toxicity profile and the possible safe use of peloids as medicinal therapy.
Insights
Peloids, or natural muds, are used in medicine, but their organic components may cause DNA damage. This study used the comet assay to assess genotoxicity, finding risks associated with organic-rich peloids.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Peloids (natural muds) are widely used in clinical therapies for rheumatic, gynecological, and skin disorders.
- While inorganic components are understood, the organic constituents and chemical mechanisms of peloids remain largely uncharacterized.
- Assessing the potential genotoxicity of peloids is crucial for understanding their safety profile.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the DNA-damaging effects of peloid samples using the single-cell comet assay.
- To evaluate the genotoxic potential of both organic-rich and inorganic-rich peloid samples.
- To contribute to the development of toxicity profiles for the safe application of peloids in medicine.
Main Methods:
- The single-cell comet assay was employed to detect DNA damage in Long Evans rat lymphocytes, human lymphocytes, and Eisenia fetida coelomocytes.
- Lymphocytes were exposed in vitro to intact peloid samples.
- Eisenia fetida coelomocytes were extracted from animals housed within intact peloid samples.
- DNA damage was quantified using DNA fluorescence intensity for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- The predominantly organic peloid sample (Hévíz) exhibited significant DNA alterations compared to the negative control.
- The predominantly inorganic peloid sample (Kolop) did not show significant DNA damage.
- A higher concentration of organic compounds in peloids appears to correlate with an increased risk of DNA damage.
Conclusions:
- Medical muds possess potential human toxicity risks due to certain substances, particularly organic compounds.
- The study highlights the need for comprehensive toxicity assessments of peloids to ensure safe therapeutic use.
- This research provides foundational data for establishing peloid toxicity profiles and guiding their medicinal application.
