Inhibition of mitomycin C-induced chromosomal aberrations by micrometer powder of selenium-enriched green tea in mice spermatocytes
Author: Feng Li and Juan Xu and Jing Zhou and Liyan Zhao and Jianchun Sheng and Guiju Sun and Qiuhui Hu
The anticlastogenic effect of micrometer powder of selenium-enriched green tea (MSTP) was evaluated by using a chromosomal aberration assay in mouse testicular cells. Animals fed with a Se-deficient diet were treated with MSTP, micrometer powder of regular green tea (MRTP), selenite, and MRTP + selenite for 30 days by an intragastric route, followed by treatment of mitomycin C (MMC) on day 19 through intraperitoneal injection (ip). Selenium status and antioxidant enzymes were measured. Results indicated that MSTP showed a significant capability to reduce the incidence of MMC-induced chromosomal aberrations in spermatocytes from 22.7% to 6.7%. This inhibitory was highest, for MSTP, at 73.1%, while it was only 38.4% for MRTP. After 30 days of a Se-deficient diet, mice, either with or without the MMC treatment, showed a lower selenium concentration in blood and liver as well as lower enzyme activity of the antioxidants, GPx and SOD. Supplementation with MSTP, selenite, or selenite + MRTP enhanced the activities of these antioxidant enzymes. This enhancement was accompanied with a concomitant elevation of selenium levels, which favored the synthesis of the seleno-enzyme GPx and protected the cells from the MMC-induced oxidative stress. Our results indicate that MSTP is both able to prevent the chromosomal aberrations induced by MMC in mouse spermatocytes and to enhance GPx and SOD activity in blood serum and liver.
