Genotoxic effect of lead nitrate on mice using SCGE (comet assay)

Single stranded DNA breakage induced by lead nitrate in mice has been studi ed in vivo using alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay). Mi ce were administered orally 0.7, 1.4, 2.8; 5.6, 11.2, 22.4, 44.8 and 89.6 m g/kg body weight of lead nitrate and the assay was performed on whole blood at 24, 48, 72 h, 1st and 2nd week. Significant increase in mean tail-lengt h of DNA was observed at all time intervals after treatment with lead nitra te when compared to controls. The mean tail-length did not show a dose-rela ted increase and the elevation in the mean tail-length was of a fluctuating type. Increase in mean tail-lengths clearly gives evidence that lead nitra te causes DNA damage effectively. The study indicates that the alkaline com et assay is a sensitive and rapid method to detect DNA damage caused by hea vy metals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.