PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF THE AMINO-ACID GLUTAMINE AND OF ASCORBIC-ACID AGAINST CHROMOSOMAL DAMAGE-INDUCED BY DOXORUBICIN IN MAMMALIAN-CELLS

The interaction of antioxidants can provide an essential protection ag ainst the damaging effects of free radicals. Beneficial interactions i nclude radioprotection, protection against acute toxicity of chemicals , and antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity. The present study w as undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of the amino acid glut amine (GLN) and ascorbic acid (AA) on the frequency of chromosomal abe rrations induced by the antineoplastic agent doxorubicin (DXR). These micronutrients were tested separately and simultaneously in Wistar rat bone marrow and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The treatments wit h GLN and/or AA significantly decreased the frequency of DXR-induced c lastogenic damage in both test systems. Teratogenesis Carcinog. Mutage n. 18:153-161, 1998. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.