1,721,093 research outputs found
The Comet assay for the evaluation of genotoxic impact in aquatic environments
No full textThis review considers the potential of the Comet assay (or Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis, SCGE) to evaluate the environmental impact of genotoxins in aquatic environments. It focuses on in vivo and in situ studies that have been carried out in various marine and freshwater sentinel species, published in the last 5 years. A large number of the studies reviewed report that the Comet assay is more sensitive when compared with other biomarkers commonly used in genetic ecotoxicology, such as sister chromatid exchanges or micronucleus test. Due to its high sensitivity, the Comet assay is widely influenced by laboratory procedures suggesting that standard protocols are required for both fish and mussel cells. However, there are still a wide variety of personalised Comet procedures evident in the literature reviewed, making comparison between published results often very difficult. Standardization and inter-laboratory calibration of the Comet assay as applied to aquatic species will be required if the Comet assay is to be used routinely by national bodies charged with monitoring water quality
Alkaline versus Neutral Version of Comet Assay in Human Leukocytes Using 9 Compounds
No full textWe investigated the in vitro activity of 8 chemicals of pharmaceuticals and alimentary interest by using both the alkaline
and the neutral version of the Comet assay (Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis, SCGE). Aspirin (ASA), eugenol, (EUG),
paracetamol (PCM) quercitin (QRC) and saccarine (SAC) were chosen because contradictory results on their genotoxicity
have been reported in literature. Beside these, four compounds known to induce a wide range of genotoxic effects were
included: the aneuploigenic chemical colcemid (COLC), the DNA repair inhibitor caffeine (CAFF), and the crosslinking
inducer methylglyoxal (MTGL). Bleomycin (BLM) was used as positive control. The SCG test showed a good reproducibility
between replicated experiments and a good specificity. The contemporary use of the dual dye viability assay and the
neutral version of the Comet assay has allowed a better evaluation of the possible mechanism of action of the tested
compounds, with particular regard to cell toxicity, allowing to avoide false positive result
The application of the Comet Assay in Aquatic Environments
No full textThis review focuses on recently published examples of the Comet assay and its application to assessing genotoxic exposure in both marine and fresh water organisms
The Comet Assay as a method of assessment of neurotoxicity
No full textComet assay is a quick and versatile method for assessing DNA damage in individual cells. It allows the detection of
single and double DNA strand breaks, as well as the presence of alkali labile sites. DNA breaks may represent the direct effect of
some damaging agent, or they may be intermediates in cellular repair. DNA strand breaks may also come from the action of free
radicals generated by oxidative stress processes. The present article summarizes some data from our and other groups underlining
the suitability of the Comet assay in assessing neurotoxicity and its potential in evaluating drugs of abuse-related genotoxicity
DNA damage evaluated by alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) in children of Chernobyl, 10 years after the disaster.
No full textUsing the alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (Comet) assay, the extent of DNA damage was evaluated in leukocytes of 43 Belarussian children (16 healthy and 27 affected by thyroid cancer). Thirty-nine healthy children from Pisa (Italy) were enrolled in the study as controls. In addition to basal levels of DNA damage, leukocytes were treated in vitro with bleomycin (BLM), a radiomimetic drug, to evaluate a possible adaptive response in different groups of children. Results with the Comet assay indicated an increased level of DNA damage (P=0.037) in leukocytes of Belarussian children compared to the Italian control group. In addition, within the Belarus group, lower basal levels of DNA damage (P<0.001) were found in children with cancer compared to healthy children. Tumor affected children were living in less radiocontaminated areas (P<0.04) than the healthy children and there was a significant relationship (P=0.03) between the amount of environmental radiocontamination and DNA damage in leukocytes. There were no differences in the sensitivity of leukocytes from different groups of children to BLM, indicating the absence of an adaptive response. The lack of an adaptive response may have been due to the use of noncycling cells and/or the bleomycin dose chosen. Tests for the presence of clastogenic factors (CF) in the blood serum of children showed that 39% of the tumor affected children and 19% of the healthy children in the exposed group were positive as compared to the Italian control group (0%) (Chi-square test, P<0.04). The higher levels of genomic damage in children evaluated 10 years after the Chernobyl disaster could be related to the increased incidence of individuals with CF
Cytogenetic and oxidative damage induced in human lymphocytes by platinum, rhodium and palladium compounds
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