The question whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMFs) may contribute to mutagenes... more The question whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMFs) may contribute to mutagenesis or carcinogenesis is of current interest. In order to evaluate the possible genotoxic effects of ELFMFs, human blood cells from four donors were exposed in vitro for 48 h to 50 Hz, 1 mT uniform magnetic field generated by a Helmholtz coil system. Comet assay (SCGE), sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosome aberrations (CAs), and micronucleus (MN) test were used to assess the DNA damage. ELF pretreated cells were also irradiated with 1 Gy of X-ray to investigate the possible combined effect of ELFMFs and ionizing radiation. Furthermore, nuclear division index (NDI) and proliferation index (PRI) were evaluated. Results do not evidence any DNA damage induced by ELFMF exposure or any effect on cell proliferation. Data obtained from the combined exposure to ELFMFs and ionizing radiation do not suggest any synergistic or antagonistic effect.
Vanadium compounds are able to interact with living cells exerting a variety of biological effect... more Vanadium compounds are able to interact with living cells exerting a variety of biological effects. The pentavalent form is the most stable and toxic form of the element. In systems in vitro pentavalent vanadium is an effective genotoxic agent, inducing DNA damage and chromosome malsegregation at low doses. On the other hand, no adequate in vivo data are available for the characterization of the genotoxic hazard following oral intake, the most relevant route of human exposure. In this study, the genotoxic effects produced by the oral intake of sodium ortho-vanadate (Na(3)VO(4)) were investigated. Male CD-1 mice were treated for 5 weeks with a range of concentrations of Na(3)VO(4) in drinking water (0.75-1500 mg/l). Both micronuclei and primary DNA lesions as detected by comet assay were assessed in several tissues. Statistically significant increases of micronuclei in bone marrow were observed in mice receiving the two highest concentrations of Na(3)VO(4) (750 and 1500 mg/l). A significant increase of comet tail length was observed in splenocytes of mice receiving Na(3)VO(4) at 1500 mg/l, whereas no effect was observed in bone marrow and testis cells. No treatment-related effect on sperm chromatin structure or on testis cell population was observed. The determination of vanadium content in mouse tissues at the end of treatment highlighted a very low internal exposure, especially in soft tissues. Overall, the results obtained indicate that the genotoxic activity of pentavalent vanadium is expressed in vivo only following high dose exposure, possibly as a consequence of the poor bioavailability of the element.
Vanadium compounds are able to interact with living cells exerting a variety of biological effect... more Vanadium compounds are able to interact with living cells exerting a variety of biological effects. The pentavalent form is the most stable and toxic form of the element. In systems in vitro pentavalent vanadium is an effective genotoxic agent, inducing DNA damage and chromosome malsegregation at low doses. On the other hand, no adequate in vivo data are available for the characterization of the genotoxic hazard following oral intake, the most relevant route of human exposure. In this study, the genotoxic effects produced by the oral intake of sodium ortho-vanadate (Na(3)VO(4)) were investigated. Male CD-1 mice were treated for 5 weeks with a range of concentrations of Na(3)VO(4) in drinking water (0.75-1500 mg/l). Both micronuclei and primary DNA lesions as detected by comet assay were assessed in several tissues. Statistically significant increases of micronuclei in bone marrow were observed in mice receiving the two highest concentrations of Na(3)VO(4) (750 and 1500 mg/l). A significant increase of comet tail length was observed in splenocytes of mice receiving Na(3)VO(4) at 1500 mg/l, whereas no effect was observed in bone marrow and testis cells. No treatment-related effect on sperm chromatin structure or on testis cell population was observed. The determination of vanadium content in mouse tissues at the end of treatment highlighted a very low internal exposure, especially in soft tissues. Overall, the results obtained indicate that the genotoxic activity of pentavalent vanadium is expressed in vivo only following high dose exposure, possibly as a consequence of the poor bioavailability of the element.
The question whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMFs) may contribute to mutagenes... more The question whether extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELFMFs) may contribute to mutagenesis or carcinogenesis is of current interest. In order to evaluate the possible genotoxic effects of ELFMFs, human blood cells from four donors were exposed in vitro for 48 h to 50 Hz, 1 mT uniform magnetic field generated by a Helmholtz coil system. Comet assay (SCGE), sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosome aberrations (CAs), and micronucleus (MN) test were used to assess the DNA damage. ELF pretreated cells were also irradiated with 1 Gy of X-ray to investigate the possible combined effect of ELFMFs and ionizing radiation. Furthermore, nuclear division index (NDI) and proliferation index (PRI) were evaluated. Results do not evidence any DNA damage induced by ELFMF exposure or any effect on cell proliferation. Data obtained from the combined exposure to ELFMFs and ionizing radiation do not suggest any synergistic or antagonistic effect.
Vanadium compounds are able to interact with living cells exerting a variety of biological effect... more Vanadium compounds are able to interact with living cells exerting a variety of biological effects. The pentavalent form is the most stable and toxic form of the element. In systems in vitro pentavalent vanadium is an effective genotoxic agent, inducing DNA damage and chromosome malsegregation at low doses. On the other hand, no adequate in vivo data are available for the characterization of the genotoxic hazard following oral intake, the most relevant route of human exposure. In this study, the genotoxic effects produced by the oral intake of sodium ortho-vanadate (Na(3)VO(4)) were investigated. Male CD-1 mice were treated for 5 weeks with a range of concentrations of Na(3)VO(4) in drinking water (0.75-1500 mg/l). Both micronuclei and primary DNA lesions as detected by comet assay were assessed in several tissues. Statistically significant increases of micronuclei in bone marrow were observed in mice receiving the two highest concentrations of Na(3)VO(4) (750 and 1500 mg/l). A significant increase of comet tail length was observed in splenocytes of mice receiving Na(3)VO(4) at 1500 mg/l, whereas no effect was observed in bone marrow and testis cells. No treatment-related effect on sperm chromatin structure or on testis cell population was observed. The determination of vanadium content in mouse tissues at the end of treatment highlighted a very low internal exposure, especially in soft tissues. Overall, the results obtained indicate that the genotoxic activity of pentavalent vanadium is expressed in vivo only following high dose exposure, possibly as a consequence of the poor bioavailability of the element.
Vanadium compounds are able to interact with living cells exerting a variety of biological effect... more Vanadium compounds are able to interact with living cells exerting a variety of biological effects. The pentavalent form is the most stable and toxic form of the element. In systems in vitro pentavalent vanadium is an effective genotoxic agent, inducing DNA damage and chromosome malsegregation at low doses. On the other hand, no adequate in vivo data are available for the characterization of the genotoxic hazard following oral intake, the most relevant route of human exposure. In this study, the genotoxic effects produced by the oral intake of sodium ortho-vanadate (Na(3)VO(4)) were investigated. Male CD-1 mice were treated for 5 weeks with a range of concentrations of Na(3)VO(4) in drinking water (0.75-1500 mg/l). Both micronuclei and primary DNA lesions as detected by comet assay were assessed in several tissues. Statistically significant increases of micronuclei in bone marrow were observed in mice receiving the two highest concentrations of Na(3)VO(4) (750 and 1500 mg/l). A significant increase of comet tail length was observed in splenocytes of mice receiving Na(3)VO(4) at 1500 mg/l, whereas no effect was observed in bone marrow and testis cells. No treatment-related effect on sperm chromatin structure or on testis cell population was observed. The determination of vanadium content in mouse tissues at the end of treatment highlighted a very low internal exposure, especially in soft tissues. Overall, the results obtained indicate that the genotoxic activity of pentavalent vanadium is expressed in vivo only following high dose exposure, possibly as a consequence of the poor bioavailability of the element.
Uploads
Papers by Paola Villani