Protective Effect of Vitamin C on Trimethyltin Induced DNA Damage Using Comet Assay and Chromosomal Aberrations

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the utility of comet assay and chromosome aberrations analysis for detecting the possible antimutagenic activity of vitamin C to reduce the genotoxic effect of Trimethyltin (TMT). TMT is one of the organotin compounds which is widely used as polyvinyl chloride heat stabilizers and marine biocides. In this study, male Swiss mice were treated interapretoneally (i.p.) with 3 tested doses 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 mg TMT/kg b.wt. for 1, 2 and 3 d. Alkaline comet assay in nucleated bone-marrow cells and chromosome analysis in spermatocytes were performed 24 h after the last treatment. The amount of DNA damage in cells was estimated from comet tail length as the extent of migration of the genetic material. A significant increase in comet tail length indicating DNA damage was observed at all concentrations compared with control (p<0.05). The mean comet tail length showed a concentration-related and time-dependent increase. Also, the percentage of chromosome aberrations in spermatocytes was statistically significant (p<0.05) and showed dose and time dependent manner. Concurrent administration of vitamin C (VC) orally at 20 mg/kg b.wt. with the highest dose of TMT for 1, 2 and 3 d reduced DNA damage in somatic and germ cells to a significant extent. In conclusion, our results indicated that vitamin C ameliorated DNA damage and genotoxicity induced by trimethyltin in mice somatic and germ cells in vivo.