Methylmalonic acid administration induces DNA damage in rat brain and kidney.

Accumulation of methylmalonic acid (MMA) in tissues and biological fluids is the biochemical hallmark of methylmalonic aciduria. Affected patients present renal failure and severe neurological findings. Considering that the underlying pathomechanisms of tissue damage are not yet understood, in the present work we assessed the in vivo e in vitro effects of MMA on DNA damage in brain and kidney, as well as on p53 and caspase 3 levels, in the presence or absence of gentamicin (acute renal failure model).