| Abstract: | Experiments were performed to study the effect of various prostaglandins (PGs) and their precursors, gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (AA) on gamma-radiation and benzo (a) pyrene (BP)-induced genetic damage to the bone marrow cells of mice, using the sensitive micronucleus (MN) test. Thromboxane B2 prostaglandin E1 and GLA completely prevented BP-induced and reduced to a great degree radiation-induced genetic damage, where as PGE2, PGF2 alpha and AA were without any effect. Since GLA and AA are widely distributed in the cell membranes, and as PGs can be formed virtually in response to any type of stimulus, it is likely that GLA and PGE1 may function as endogenous anti-mutagenic chemicals. |
