Abstract

MESA-VILLANUEVA, Martha et al. Protective action of melatonin on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to gamma radiation Co⁶⁰. Univ. Sci. [online]. 2009, vol.14, n.1, pp.41-47. ISSN 0122-7483.

Objective: to evaluate the protective effect of melatonin on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) exposed in vitro to ionizing radiation. Materials and methods: PBMCs drawn from healthy volunteers were incubated with 0, 1x10^-5, 1x10^-6 y 1x10^-7 M melatonin for 10 minutes before being exposed to gamma radiation (300 cGy; Co⁶⁰ source). Afterwards, DNA damage was evaluated with the comet assay. Results: PBMCs pretreated with melatonin showed comet tails shorter than those without the hormone treatment, as well as a lower percentage of cells with severe DNA damage. Conclusion: melatonin doses of 1x10^-5, 1x10^-6 and 1x10^-7 M provide in vitro protection to PBMCs from DNA damage (single strand breaks and alkali-labile sites) induced by gamma radiation (300 cGy; Co⁶⁰ source).

Keywords : peripheral blood mononuclear cells; comet assay; DNA damage; gamma radiation; melatonin.

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