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Research: SARKAR and colleagues, De
Listed in Issue 28
Abstract
SARKAR and colleagues, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Calcutta, India writes that beta-carotene (BC) has been found to possess potent anti-tumour activity in liver carcinogenesis chemically induced (by diethylnitrosamine (DEN) in rats . The authors studied the basic cytogenetic and molecular mechanisms of the anti-tumour effects of BC.
Background
Methodology
The authors monitored the effect of BC upon rat liver chromosomal aberrations (CAs) and DNA chain breaks in the early precancerous stage of liver cancer in rats. Even one DNA strand break per chromosome can be detected. A BC supplement, 120 mg/kg was fed to rats 15 days prior to challenge with a carcinogenic chemical.
Results
BC provided a unique protection against chromosomal strand breaks 96 hour following injection of DEN. Long-term BC treatment also afforded a protective effect on induction of CAs 15, 30 and 45 days following DEN treatment. BC treatment for 15 days prior to DEN injection offered significant protection in the generation of single-strand breaks compared with DEN control.
Conclusion
Beta-carotene ranks as a potential chemopreventive agent regarding rat liver carcinogenesis .
References
Sarkar A et al. Beta-carotene inhibits rat liver chromosomal aberrations and DNA chain break after a single injection of diethylnitrosamine. Br J Cancer 76(7): 855-61. 1997 .
