Effect of superoxide dismutase and catalase on spontaneously occurring chromosome breaks in patients with Fanconi's anemia

Abstract

The effect of the two enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase on spontaneously occurring chromosome breaks in 2 patients with Fanconi's anemia (FA) was studied. Cells, cultured in the presence of SOD and catalase, separately and combined, showed a significant decrease in the frequency of gaps and chromatid breaks (P < 0.01). There was also a decrease in the frequency of chromosome aberrations in cells cultured in the presence of both SOD and catalase (P <0.05). Since both enzymes are known to interfere with biological oxidation‐reduction processes, involving the production of different radicals, it is suggested that the decreased frequency of chromosome breaks is due to radical‐scavenging. © 1977 Mendelian Society of Lund