DNA Damage in Human Amniotic Cells: Antigenotoxic Potential of Curcumin and <i>α</i>-Lipoic Acid

• Main Authors: Filomena Mottola, Marianna Santonastaso, Concetta Iovine, Cristina Rossetti, Valentina Ronga, Lucia Rocco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Antioxidants
• Subjects: human amniocytes; DNA damage; antioxidants; antigenotoxicity; oxidative stress; α-lipoic acid
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/7/1137

Oxidative imbalances in the gestational phase are responsible for certain complications during pregnancy and for foetal and neonatal genetic disorders. In this work, using human amniocytes, we aimed to evaluate the protection provided to foetal DNA by two concentrations of antioxidant molecules, α-lipoic acid (LA) and curcumin (Cur), against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced damage. Genotoxicity tests, performed by the random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) technique and TUNEL tests, showed that the lowest concentration of LA-protected cells and DNA from H₂O₂ insults. However, a greater ability to protect the amniocytes’ DNA against H₂O₂ was observed following co-treatment with the highest concentration of Cur with H₂O₂. In fact, a genomic template stability (GTS%) similar to that of the negative control and a statistically significant reduction in the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were revealed. Moreover, following a combined treatment with both antioxidants and H₂O₂, no statistical difference from controls was observed, in terms of both induced mutations and DNA breaks. Furthermore, no effect on morphology or cell viability was observed. The results demonstrate the ability of LA and Cur to protect the genetic material of amniocytes against genotoxic insults, suggesting their beneficial effects in pathologies related to oxidative stress.