A comparative study of the antimutagenic effects of antioxidants on chemical mutagenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

The 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-4-(Na carboxylate)-1,4-dihydropyridine (1,4-DHP) was studied for antimutagenic effects in the dominant lethal test and in the sex-linked recessive lethal test of Drosophila melanogaster. The observed effects were compared with those of the radioprotectors cysteine and cysteamine and with those of the phenolic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In a wide range of concentrations, including low ones, 1,4-DHP reduces the frequency of EMS-induced genetic damage (point mutations and chromosome breakage). A reduction of the mutation rate induced by EMS in adults could be observed independently of the developmental stages (larvae or imago) pretreated with 1,4-DHP. The protective effect of this new antimutagen against the alkylating agent depended on both the 1,4-DHP dose and the level of the EMS-induced mutation rate. The effect of 1,4-DHP was more pronounced than that of the studied radioprotectors. It is concluded that dihydropyridine-type compounds are able to protect eukaryote germs cells from genetic damage produced by direct-acting mutagens such as EMS.