THE EFFECT OF SINGLE DOSE SELENIUM AND VITAMIN C ON COLORECTAL MUKOZAL NUCLEOTOXICITY INDUCED BY METHYLAZOXYMETHANOL

Abstract

Methylazoxymethanol (MAM) is the genotoxic and carcinogenic aglicane of cycacin, a natural component of cycad plant. The acute effect of MAM has been extensively studied in regards to cytotoxicity and early histopathologic changes induced in the rodent colonic mucoza. Most animal experiments and epidemiological studies have showed a relationship between colon cancer, selenium and Vitamin C. In most of experimental studies selenium and vitamin C had been used as additional factors to diet. In this study we used single dose selenium and vitamin C intraperitoneally for evaluation of their preventive effect against colonic cytotoxicity. Thirty-two Wistar-Albino rats were used. Rats were divided into four groups. Only saline was given to first eight rats (1 ,group) and only MAM acetate was given to second eight rats (2.group). MAM acetate was given to third group rats one hour after selenium injection and in fourth group after vitamin C injection. All animals were killed 24 hours following injection. The acute hystopathologic changes in the colonic mucosa measured by the karyorrhectic index (KI). The KI values in the groups were 2.89, 1.07, 13.16, 10.04. A significant difference was observed among groups. In conclusion single dose intraperitoneal selenium and vitamin C decreased the nucleotoxic changes but did not prevent it completely.