Effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) in both nitrite- and nitrosamine-induced cell death, production of reactive oxygen species, and DNA damage by the single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE): does it have any protective effect on HepG2 cells?

Int J Toxicol. 2010 May-Jun;29(3):305-12. doi: 10.1177/1091581810366313.

Abstract

The current study was designed to investigate possible protective effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) in nitrite- and nitrosamine-treated human hepatoma cells (HepG2) with the evaluation by cytotoxic effects and genotoxic effects determined by the single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). Allyl isothiocyanate treatment enhanced cell viability and reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in both nitrite- and nitrosamine-treated cells significantly. In SCGE, when compared to untreated control cells, all of the treated groups caused increases in the tail intensity (%) such as nitrite at 17%, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) at 279%, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) at 324%, and N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) at 288%. Allyl isothiocyanate reduced the tail intensity caused by nitrite 36%, by NDMA 36%, by NDEA 49%, and by NMOR 32%, respectively, when compared to each individual toxic compound-treated group. In conclusion, AITC protected HepG2 cells against cytotoxic and genotoxic effects caused by nitrite and the nitrosamines.

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Cell Death / drug effects*
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Comet Assay
  • Cytotoxins / toxicity
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Humans
  • Isothiocyanates / pharmacology*
  • Mutagens / toxicity
  • Nitrites / toxicity*
  • Nitrosamines / toxicity*
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cytotoxins
  • Isothiocyanates
  • Mutagens
  • Nitrites
  • Nitrosamines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • allyl isothiocyanate