Induction of excision repairable DNA lesions in lymphocytes exposed to lead and ALA in vitro

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2009 Apr;128(1):31-7. doi: 10.1007/s12011-008-8254-0. Epub 2008 Nov 1.

Abstract

Numbers of studies have been carried out on the potential of lead genotoxicity. The mechanisms of lead genotoxicity are not fully known but partly attributed to the formation of highly reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM). However, lead ions have no ability to generate ROM. In this study, we have investigated the ability of lead and ALA to induce excision repairable DNA lesions by using cytosine arabinoside or cytokinesis block micronucleus (ARA-C/CBMN) assay. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea was used as a positive control which is a mutagen and known to induce excision repair. The results of the ARA-C/CBMN assay show that ALA exposures have significantly (p < 0.01) increased the ratio of excision repairable DNA lesions in peripheral blood lymphocytes; however, lead have not. Accordingly, accumulation of ALA should be considered as an effective partner of lead induced DNA damage in lead exposure.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aminolevulinic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Cytarabine / pharmacology
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • DNA Repair / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lead / pharmacology*
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Methylnitrosourea / pharmacology
  • Micronucleus Tests / methods

Substances

  • Cytarabine
  • Lead
  • Methylnitrosourea
  • Aminolevulinic Acid