Radioprotective effects of honeybee venom (Apis mellifera) against 915-MHz microwave radiation-induced DNA damage in wistar rat lymphocytes: in vitro study

Int J Toxicol. 2009 Mar-Apr;28(2):88-98. doi: 10.1177/1091581809335051.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the radioprotective effect of bee venom against DNA damage induced by 915-MHz microwave radiation (specific absorption rate of 0.6 W/kg) in Wistar rats. Whole blood lymphocytes of Wistar rats are treated with 1 microg/mL bee venom 4 hours prior to and immediately before irradiation. Standard and formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg)-modified comet assays are used to assess basal and oxidative DNA damage produced by reactive oxygen species. Bee venom shows a decrease in DNA damage compared with irradiated samples. Parameters of Fpg-modified comet assay are statistically different from controls, making this assay more sensitive and suggesting that oxidative stress is a possible mechanism of DNA damage induction. Bee venom is demonstrated to have a radioprotective effect against basal and oxidative DNA damage. Furthermore, bee venom is not genotoxic and does not produce oxidative damage in the low concentrations used in this study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bee Venoms / pharmacology*
  • Cell Phone
  • Comet Assay
  • DNA Damage*
  • Lymphocytes / radiation effects*
  • Male
  • Microwaves / adverse effects*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Bee Venoms
  • Radiation-Protective Agents