Abstract
Polyphenols are potent antioxidants that are particularly abundant in the Mediterranean diet, with olive oil being the main fat source. A number of investigations have reported that phenolic compounds found in dietary oils are antioxidants and could provide protective effects by inhibiting DNA oxidative damage. However, few studies have been published on the biological activity of vegetable oils, including their possible mutagenic/antimutagenic effects. The objective of the current study was to investigate the cytogenetic effects of multiple doses of four vegetable oils in rat bone marrow cells and to examine the possible antimutagenic effects of these oils in chromosomal damage induced by the antitumor drug cisplatin. These oils are consumed by humans and commonly used as drug vehicles. The rats received treatment with multiple doses of canola oil, olive oil, virgin olive oil, and corn oil (5 mL kg-1) alone or combined with the antitumor drug cisplatin (5 mg kg-1). Treatments with vegetable oils alone did not increase the percentage of cells with chromosomal aberrations (p > 0.05). Olive, virgin olive and canola oils showed protective effects against cisplatin-induced chromosomal damage (p < 0.05). A rational mechanism for the protective effects of vegetable oils is that their phenolic compounds have antioxidant and antimutagenic properties in vivo.
Highlights
Epidemiological studies have shown that populations consuming the traditional Mediterranean diet exhibit lower frequencies of chronic diseases and enjoy good health (Wahle et al, 2004)
The objective of the current study was to investigate the cytogenetic effects of multiple doses of four vegetable oils on rat bone-marrow cells and to examine the possible antimutagenic effects of these oils in chromosomal damage induced by the antitumor drug cisplatin
The cytogenetic analysis of bone-marrow cells from Wistar rats treated with dietary oils and cDDP revealed various types of chromosomal aberrations, which consisted of chromatid gaps, chromatid and chromosome breaks and exchanges
Summary
Epidemiological studies have shown that populations consuming the traditional Mediterranean diet exhibit lower frequencies of chronic diseases and enjoy good health (Wahle et al, 2004). The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, wine and olive oil can contribute to a lower incidence of coronary heart disease and cancer (Tuck and Hayball, 2002). Vegetables and polyphenols, potent antioxidants, are abundant in the Mediterranean diet, with olive oil being the main fat source. A number of investigations have reported that phenolic compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol, present predominantly in Olea europea, found in olive and virgin olive oils, are strong antioxidants and could provide protective effects by inhibiting oxidative damage (Tuck and Hayball, 2002). Cell culture experiments have demonstrated that olive oil phenolic compounds have anti-atherogenic and antioxidant effects, and could exert cardioprotective effects in vivo (Turner et al, 2005)
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