Protective effects of selenium against sister chromatid exchange induced by AFG1 in human lymphocytes in vitro

Abstract

Aflatoxins have been shown to be hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic to different species of animals. Besides, at low concentrations, Selenium (Se4+) is antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic while it is toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic at high concentrations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of Se4+ against aflatoxin GAFG 1 (AFG1) on blood cultures in relation to induction of sister chromatid exchange (SCE). The results showed that at 0.4 and 0.8 parts per million (ppm) concentration of AFG1, the frequency of SCE increased in cultured human lymphocytes. When different concentration of Se 4+ (0.08 and 8 ppm) were added to AFG1, the frequencies of SCE decreased. Howewer, when 800 ppm concentration of Se4+ together with 0.08 ppm AFG1 were added to cell division inhibited in the cultures. Results suggested that Se4+ could effectively inhibit AFG1-induced SCE. Besides, the protective role of Se4+ against AFG1-induced SCE is probably related to its doses. © The Author(s) 2010.