DNA damage in placenta and embryos of rats exposed to peat smoke; antigenotoxic effects of afobazole

Abstract

Background. It was shown that prenatal exposure to peat smoke leads to disturbances of fetal and postnatal development in rats. Genotoxic mechanisms may be involved to these deleterious effects. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the DNA damage and its modification by known antimutagen afobazole in placenta and embryo of rats, exposed to peat smoke. Materials and methods. Pregnant rats were exposed to filtered air (control), to peat smoke or to peat smoke with receiving of afobazole (1 or 10 mg/kg, per os) for 44 min, daily during days 1 to 13 of gestation. At the day 13 four placenta and embryo samples from each rat were obtained for DNA damage analysis using the alkaline comet assay. Results. A significant, 4-5 folds increase in the DNA damage values (% DNA in tail) was found in placenta and embryos of rats exposed to peat smoke. Genotoxic effects were generally more pronounced in placenta. Exposure to peat smoke together with receiving of afobazole at the doses 1 and 10 mg/kg showed a significant, 53-60 % decrease in the mean % DNA in tail values in both placenta and embryos. Clear inter and intra-individual differences in genotoxic as well as in antigenotoxic effects were observed. For the some placenta or embryo samples were seen reducing of DNA damage to the control level. Conclusion. Exposure of pregnant rats to peat smoke causes DNA damage in placenta and embryos. This smoke-induced genotoxicity might be decreased or prevented by antimutagenic agents.

Keywords

peat smoke / rats / DNA damage / alkaline comet assay / embryo / placenta / afobazole / antigenotoxicity

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Gorbatova D.M., Zhanataev A.K., Nemova H.P., Durnev A.D.