Vitamin complex (ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene) induces micronucleus formation in PBMNC unrelated to ROS production.

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and micronucleus formation induced by a vitamin complex in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy people aged between 40 and 85 years old.

Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were purified utilizing ficoll-hypaque gradient. ROS production by PBMNCs was quantified by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in the presence or in the absence of the vitamin complex.