Use of the single cell gel electrophoresis assay for the detection of DNA-protective dietary factors: Results of human intervention studies

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewpeer-review

  • Miroslav Mišík
  • Marlen Staudinger
  • Michael Kundi
  • Nadine Worel
  • Armen Nersesyan
  • Franziska Ferk
  • Maria Dusinska
  • Amaya Azqueta
  • Møller, Peter
  • Siegfried Knasmueller

The single cell gel electrophoresis technique is based on the measurement of DNA migration in an electric field and enables to investigate via determination of DNA-damage the impact of foods and their constituents on the genetic stability. DNA-damage leads to adverse effects including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and infertility. In the last 25 years approximately 90 human intervention trials have been published in which DNA-damage, formation of oxidized bases, alterations of the sensitivity towards reactive oxygen species and chemicals and of repair functions were investigated with this technique. In approximately 50% of the studies protective effects were observed. Pronounced protection was found with certain plant foods (spinach, kiwi fruits, onions), coffee, green tea, honey and olive oil. Also diets with increased contents of vegetables caused positive effects. Small amounts of certain phenolics (gallic acid, xanthohumol) prevented oxidative damage of DNA; with antioxidant vitamins and cholecalciferol protective effects were only detected after intake of doses that exceed the recommended daily uptake values. The evaluation of the quality of the studies showed that many have methodological shortcomings (lack of controls, no calibration of repair enzymes, inadequate control of the compliance and statistical analyses) which should be avoided in future investigations.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108458
JournalMutation Research - Reviews in Mutation Research
Volume791
Number of pages27
ISSN1383-5742
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier B.V.

    Research areas

  • Comet, Diet, Endo III, Human, Nutrition, Oxidative DNA-damage

ID: 347651094