| Popis: |
The current study describes a method for assessing the oxidative potential of common environmental stressors (ambient air particulate matter), using a plasmid relaxation assay where the extract caused single strand breaks, easily visualized through electrophoresis. This assay utilizes a tiny amount (11μg) of particulate matter (PM) extract compared to other, cellbased methods (~3000μg). The negative impact of air pollution on human health has been extensively recognised. Among air pollutants, PM holds an eminent role reflected in the broad scientific and regulatory interest. PM toxicity highly depend on its composition (metals and organic compounds), which in turn has been linked to multiple health effects (such as cardiorespiratory diseases and cancer) through multiple toxicity mechanisms; oxidative stress induction is consider one major mechanism among them. In this study the PM levels, the oxidative potential, the cytotoxicity and the genotoxicity of PM in the region of Larissa were examined using the plasmid relaxation assay. Finally, coffee extracts from different varieties, derived from both green and roasted seeds, were examined for their ability to inhibit particulate matter induced DNA damage. These extracts also displayed an inhibitory activity towards xanthine oxidase and catalase, while having no effect against superoxide dismutase. Overall, the study highlighted the importance of assays for assessing the oxidative potential of widespread environmental stressors (PM), as well as the antioxidant capacity of beverages and food items, with the highlight being the development of a plasmid relaxation assay to assess the genotoxicity caused by PM using only a tiny amount. |
