Effect of vitamin A palmitate on mutagenesis induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human cells

The effect of vitamin A palmitate (VAP) on mutagenesis induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was examined in a human epithelial-like cell line (EUE). Cultures were exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (BP), 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA), 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, with or without VAP, and mutation frequencies were determined by selection against diphtheria toxin. A strong inhibition of mutagenesis was observed particularly with MCA and BP. VAP, in the same cell line, reduced 3H-labeled PAH binding to DNA.