Complexes of ferric nitrilotriacetate show higher potential to induce oxidative DNA damgage than ferric salts alone

? Objective:To compare the capacity to induce DNA damage of ferric salts(Fe) , including Fe Cl3,Fe NH4 (SO4 ) 2 or Fe(NO3) 3〔Fe( )〕- induced and complexes of ferric salts with that of nitrilotriacetic acid〔Fe- NTA〕.Methods:DNA damage was measured by the loss of fluorescence after DNA binding to ethidium bromide and by the increased DNA mobility in agarose gel electrophoresis.Results:Fe salts were able to induce calf thymus DNA damage in the presence of hydrogen peroxide(H2 O2 ) and ascordate.The magnitude of DNA damage by Fe showed a both Fe and H2 O2 - dependent manner,but much less than that caused by Fe- NTA. Glutathione,as a well- known antioxidant,could protectfrom Fe- NTA- induced DNA damage at a relatively high concentration.Conclusion:This finding is important for us to understand the mechanism by which Fe- NTA induces renal tumours and to develop the strategy for preventing the renal carcinogenesis of Fe- NTA. 〔