Beta-carotene enhances hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage in human hepatocellular HepG2 cells

Julie A. Woods, Rodney F. Bilton, Andrew J. Young

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    66 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In this study, the alkaline version of the comet assay has been used to determine the effect of beta-carotene supplementation (10 microM) on peroxide-initiated free radical-mediated DNA damage in human HepG2 hepatoma cells. In supplemented cells, beta-carotene failed to afford any protection against hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA strand breaks. Indeed, levels of strand breaks in supplemented cells were significantly higher than in cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide alone, especially after a long incubation period. In contrast, beta-carotene afforded significant levels of protection against DNA strand breaks when cells were treated with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. In this case, the level of protection increased as supplementation continued.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)255-258
    Number of pages4
    JournalFEBS Letters
    Volume449
    Issue number2-3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 23 Apr 1999

    Keywords

    • β-Carotene
    • HepG2
    • Peroxide
    • Comet assay

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