Enhancement of the chromosome-damaging action of ascorbate by transition metals.

Abstract

Freshly prepared ascorbate inhibited mitosis and induced chromosome aberrations in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells. Cu(II) and Mn(II) (10(-4) or 10(-5) M) enhanced both actions. Fe(II) and Fe(III) (10(-4) or 10(-5) M) reduced or abolished the mitosis-inhibiting action of ascorbate. At 10(-4) M, Fe(II) and Fe(III) strongly enhanced the chromosome-damaging capacity of ascorbate. Up to 100% of all examined metaphase plates had multiple chromosome exchanges or breaks. Since the cytostatic and clastogenic effect of ascorbate of H2O2 to induce chromosome aberrations was examined. H2O2 and a H2O2: Fe(II) mixture (Fenton reagent) induced chromosome breaks and exchanges but to a lesser degree than did ascorbate: Cu(II), Mn(II), Fe(II), or Fe(III) mixtures. Whether the strong chromosome damaging capacity of ascorbate plus transition metals as seen in the in vitro test system poses a health hazard only properly designed in vivo studies can reveal.

• Authors: H F Stich, L Wei, R F Whiting
• Journal: Cancer research (Cancer Res) Vol. 39 Issue 10 Pg. 4145-51 (Oct 1979) ISSN: 0008-5472 [Print] United States
• PMID: 476651 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Ferric Compounds
• Ferrous Compounds
• Manganese
• Copper
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Iron
• Ascorbic Acid

Topics

• Animals
• Ascorbic Acid (pharmacology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Chromosome Aberrations
• Copper (pharmacology)
• Cricetinae
• Drug Synergism
• Female
• Ferric Compounds (pharmacology)
• Ferrous Compounds (pharmacology)
• Hydrogen Peroxide (pharmacology)
• Iron (pharmacology)
• Manganese (pharmacology)
• Ovary