Effect of Vitamin C against the Genotoxicity Induced by N-Nitrosodiethanolamine in Mice in vivo Test System

N-Nitrosodiethanolamine (NDELA) constitutes a serious potential genotoxic and carcinogenic hazard. The mutagenic potential of NDELA was evaluated in mice in vivo using the 2 cytogenetic parameters, chromosomal aberration and sister chromatid exchange. Single oral treatment by gavage using different doses of NDELA 10, 20, 50, 100, 250, 400 mg kg-1 b.wt. induced an increase in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations in mouse bone-marrow as well as in mouse primary spermatocytes in a dose-dependent relationship. Such percentage was statistically significant at the doses ranging from 20-400 mg. Repeated dose treatment with the doses 50, 100, 250 mg kg-1 b.wt. NDELA for 3 consecutive days induced slight increase in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations over that of a single dose treatment. The results also show that NDELA is a potent inducer of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE's). Intraperitoneal treatment with the doses 100, 250, 400 NDELA induced a significant and dose dependent increase in the frequency of SCE's. Such frequency reached 14.90±0.68/cell and 18.20±0.48/cell (p