Cytogenetic biomarkers in detection of genotoxic effects of gestagens in peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro and in vivo

Genotoxic effects of drospirenone and ethinylestradiol in human breast cells (in vitro) and bone marrow cells of female mice (in vivo)

Estrogen and progesterone congeners as found in various oral contraceptive formulations have been implicated as the cause of cancer in sex and tissue-specific targets. The mechanism of carcinogenesis by sex steroids is still debatable. In this study, we evaluated the genotoxicity induced by two components of one of the commonly used oral contraceptive formulation; drospirenone and ethinylestradiol in human breast cells (MCF-7) in vitro and in bone marrow cells of female mice in vivo. DNA damage was assessed by alkaline comet assay. Both of the drugs produced DNA damage in human breast cells at exposure concentrations which are about 100-fold and above than normally found in human blood after their lowest recommended doses. The DNA damage was produced only after metabolic activation by mice liver S-9 fraction in both cases. The co-exposure with both the compounds at median exposure levels resulted in potentiation of DNA damage. In bone marrow cells of adult female mice, both the compounds produced DNA damage at human equivalent doses after exposure was carried out repeatedly for approximately one estrus cycle (5 days). The co-administration with the compounds resulted in potentiation of DNA damage as indicated by percent tail DNA in comet assay. Thus it is concluded that drospirenone and ethinylestradiol cause DNA damage in certain target specific tissue (mammary epithelial cells) and in female bone marrow cells. The co-exposure with drospirenone and ethinylestradiol results in potentiation of genotoxicity which may pose a threat of cancer development in women taking these drugs for long periods.

Citrinin against breast cancer: A cytogenotoxicological study

Breast cancer is one of the most lethal types of cancer and a leading cause of mortality among Women worldwide. Citrinin (CIT), a polyketide extracted from the fungus Penicillium citrinum, exhibits a wide range of biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic effects. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the antitumoral effects of CIT against 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma in Swiss mice For this, CIT, DMBA and the standard cyclophosphamide (CPA) induced behavioral changes in experimental animals, and these changes were screened by using the rota rod and open field tests. Additionally, hematological, biochemical, immuno-histochemical, and histopathological analyses were carried out. Results suggest that CIT did not alter behavioral, hematological, and biochemical parameters in mice. DMBA induced invasive mammary carcinoma and showed genotoxic effects in the breasts, bone marrow, lymphocytes, and hepatic cells. It also caused mutagenic effects in the formation of micronuclei, bridges, shoots, and binucleate cells in bone marrow and liver. CIT and CPA genotoxic effects were observed after 3 weeks of therapy, where CIT exhibited a repair capacity and induced significant apoptotic damage in mouse lymphocytes. In conclusion, CIT showed antitumoral effects in Swiss mice, possibly through induction of apoptosis.