Effects of vitamins A and E on methylazoxymethanol-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100

The aim of this study is to report the antimutagenic effect of vitamin A and vitamin E towards methylazoxymethanol (MAM)-induced mutagenesis in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA100 sensitive to alkylating agents. In order to characterize different levels of action of these two fat-soluble vitamins towards the mutagenicity of MAM, several assays have been considered to show the antimutagenic effect and the possible interactions of vitamins with MAM or with the bacteria. Thus, for each vitamin, three different assays with three different incubations have been conducted: (i) MAM, bacteria and vitamins together, (ii) MAM and vitamins, (iii) bacteria and vitamins. The results showed that both vitamins A and E present an antimutagenic effect towards MAM induced mutagenesis. alpha-Tocopherol seems to have an action directly on to the mutagenic agent, whereas the action of retinol is likely due to a protection of the bacterial genoma against MAM. These in vitro results could help to interpret results of colon carcinogenesis studies using animals induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine and fed vitamins supplemented diet.