In vitro genotoxicity assessment of monopotassium glutamate and magnesium diglutamate

Molecular docking study of frequently used food additives for selected targets depending on the chromosomal abnormalities they cause

Food additives (FAs) (flavor enhancers, sweeteners, etc.) protect foods during storage and transportation, making them attractive to consumers. Today, while the desire to access natural foods is increasing, the chemicals added to foods have started to be questioned. In this respect, genotoxicity tests have gained importance. Studies show that some food additives may have genotoxic risks. Previous studies carried out in our laboratory also revealed genotoxic effects of Monopotassium glutamate (MPG), Monosodium glutamate (MSG), Magnesium diglutamate (MDG) as flavor enhancers; Potassium benzoate (PB), Potassium sorbate (PS), Sodium benzoate (SB), Sodium sorbate (SS) as preservatives; Acesulfame potassium (ACE-K), Xylitol (XYL) as sweeteners. In this study, we determined the interactions of these food additives with ATM and p53 proteins, which are activated in the cell due to genotoxic effects, and with DNA by employing the molecular docking method for the first time. Among the food additives, SB (-4.307) for ATM, XYL (-4.629) for p53, and XYL (-4.927) for DNA showed the highest affinity. Therefore, flexible docking (IFD) scores were determined for SB, XYL, and MDG from flavor enhancers. The potential binding modes of the food additives to target molecules' possible inhibition mechanisms were determined by molecular docking. Thus, new information was obtained to show how these additives cause chromosomal abnormalities.

Assessment of the genotoxic effects of antihypertensive drug active ingredient indapamide in human lymphocytes

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease and is also known as high blood pressure. The large majority of hypertensive patients need long-term administration of antihypertensive agents. Indapamide is an orally administered diuretic antihypertensive drug. The present work aimed to assess the possible genotoxic effects of indapamide using four different assays: chromosomal aberration (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronucleus (MN), and comet. Lymphocytes from three different donors were exposed to 18.75, 37.50, 75.00, and 100.00 μg/ml indapamide. Additionally, a negative, a positive (mitomycin C = MMC, 0.20 μg/ml), and a solvent control (5.4 μl/ml methanol) were also applied. As a result, it was seen that indapamide did not cause a significant change in CAs and MN frequencies compared to the control. It caused significant damage only at the highest concentration in the comet assay. Similarly, while it did not affect the number of SCEs in the 24-h treatment, it increased the SCE frequency at the two highest concentrations in the 48-h. Mitotic index (MI) decreased at almost all concentrations. Considering all these results, this study revealed that indapamide did not have a significant genotoxic effect in these conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first investigation about the genotoxic effect of indapamide in human lymphocytes in vitro.

Genotoxic effects of gadobutrol and gadoversetamide active substances used in magnetic resonance imaging in human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro

Gadobutrol and gadoversetamide are gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) widely used during magnetic resonance imaging examination. In this study, the genotoxicity of two GBCAs, gadobutrol and gadoversetamide, was investigated by using different endpoints: chromosome aberration (CAs), sister chromatid exchange (SCEs), and micronucleus (MNi). Human peripheral lymphocytes (PBLs) were treated with five concentrations (7 000, 14 000, 28 000, 56 000, and 112 000 μg/mL) of both agents. While a few concentrations of gadobutrol significantly increased abnormal cell frequency and CA/Cell, nearly all the concentrations of gadoversetamide significantly elevated the same aberrations. Similarly, the effect of gadoversetamide on the formation of SCEs was higher than those of gadobutrol. Only one concentration of gadoversetamide significantly increased MN% but no gadobutrol. The comet assay was applied for the only gadobutrol which induced a significant increase in tail intensity at the highest concentration only. On the other hand, significantly decreased mitotic index (MI) was observed following both substances, again gadoversetamide was slightly higher than those of the gadobutrol. The results revealed that both the contrast agents are likely to induce genotoxic risk in PBLs. However, different concentrations and treatment periods should be examined in vitro and specifically in vivo with different test systems for the safer usage of these contrast agents.