Effect of three diaryl tellurides, and an organoselenium compound in trouterythrocytes exposed to oxidative stress in vitro

Previous literature reports have demonstrated that nucleated trout erythroc ytes in conditions of oxidative stress are subjected to DNA and membrane da mage, and inactivation of glutathione peroxidase. The present study was und ertaken to evaluate the ability of three diaryl tellurides and the organose lenium compound ebselen to protect trout (Salmo irideus) erythrocytes again st oxidative stress, induced thermally and by a variation of pH. The antiox idant ability of these molecules was evaluated through chemiluminescence. I mpairment of DNA was assessed using the comet assay, a rapid and sensitive single cell gel electrophoresis technique, used to detect primary DNA damag e in individual cells. At low concentrations (< 10 mu M), all the compounds used presented a protective effect on DNA damage without altering the hemo lysis rate. In higher concentrations, they accelerated the hemolysis rate a nd two of the diaryl tellurides were strongly genotoxic. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.