The effect of selenium, as selenomethionine, on genome stability and cytotoxicity in human lymphocytes measured using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay

Abstract

A supranutritional intake of selenium (Se) may be required for cancer prevention, but an excessively high dose could be toxic. Therefore, the effect on genome stability of seleno-L-methionine (Se-met), the most important dietary form of Se, was measured to determine its bioefficacy and safety limit. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated from six volunteers and cultured with medium supplemented with Se-met in a series of Se concentrations (3, 31, 125, 430, 1880 and 3850 μg Se/litre) while keeping the total methionine (i.e. Se-met + L-methionine) concentration constant at 50 μM. Baseline genome stability of lymphocytes and the extent of DNA damage induced by 1.5-Gy γ-ray were investigated using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay after 9 days of culture in 96-microwell plates. High Se concentrations (≥1880 μg Se/litre) caused strong inhibition of cell division and increased cell death (P

Citation

Jing Wu; Lyons, G.H.; Graham, R.D.; Fenech, M.F. The effect of selenium, as selenomethionine, on genome stability and cytotoxicity in human lymphocytes measured using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay. Mutagenesis (2009) 24 (3) 225-232. [DOI: 10.1093/mutage/gen074]

The effect of selenium, as selenomethionine, on genome stability and cytotoxicity in human lymphocytes measured using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome assay

Published 1 January 2009