D. Tardieu et al., Dextran sulfate enhances the level of an oxidative DNA damage biomarker, 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2 '-deoxyguanosine, in rat colonic mucosa, CANCER LETT, 134(1), 1998, pp. 1-5
Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) given in drinking water can induce colonic inf
lammation and produce colorectal tumors in rodents, although it is not dire
ctly genotoxic. The hypothesis that DSS can produce free radicals and induc
e oxidative DNA damage in colonic mucosa has been tested. In rats fed for 2
days with water containing 3% and 6% DSS, colonic inflammation manifestati
ons were recorded and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo), a ma
jor biomarker of oxidative DNA damage, was assayed in colonic mucosa. As co
mpared with control rats given pure water, inflammatory manifestations were
seen in rats given DSS. At the same time, 8-oxodGuo levels in colonic muco
sa were doubled (P < 0.001). These results suggest that formation of oxidat
ive DNA damage in colonic mucosa depends on inflammation and maybe on the p
roduction of reactive oxygen species. This study shows that DSS can induce
oxidative DNA damage within only 2 days, which could explain in part its ca
rcinogenic properties. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd All-rights res
erved.