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Sodium ascorbate induces DNA single-strand breaks in human cells in vitro
1Bioelectromagnetics Research Laboratory, College of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
Mutation Research
|April 29, 1997
Summary
Sodium ascorbate, a form of vitamin C, can cause DNA damage in human cells. Certain cells like fibroblasts and leukemia cells are more vulnerable, potentially leading to cell death at high concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Genotoxicology
Background:
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an essential nutrient with antioxidant properties.
- High concentrations of ascorbic acid may exhibit pro-oxidant effects.
- Understanding the cellular impact of sodium ascorbate is crucial for safety assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genotoxic effects of sodium ascorbate on human cells.
- To compare the sensitivity of different human cell types to sodium ascorbate-induced DNA damage.
- To assess potential cytotoxicity at physiologically relevant concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of human lymphocytes, neonatal fibroblasts, and Molt-4 cells with varying concentrations of sodium ascorbate.
- Assay of DNA single-strand breaks using alkaline microgel electrophoresis.
- Evaluation of cell viability after incubation with sodium ascorbate.
Main Results:
- Sodium ascorbate induced a concentration-dependent increase in DNA single-strand breaks in all tested cell types.
- Fibroblasts and Molt-4 cells showed significantly higher sensitivity to DNA damage induction compared to lymphocytes.
- Significant cell loss occurred in Molt-4 cells at 50 microM sodium ascorbate, a concentration comparable to human plasma levels.
Conclusions:
- Sodium ascorbate can induce DNA damage and cytotoxicity in human cells.
- Cell type-specific sensitivity to sodium ascorbate's genotoxic effects exists.
- Further research is warranted to understand the implications of these findings at physiological concentrations.