Protective in vivo effect of curcumin on copper genotoxicity evaluated by comet and micronucleus assays.

Curcumin is a phytochemical with antiinflammatory, antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities. Apparently, curcumin is not genotoxic in vivo, but in vitro copper and curcumin interactions induce genetic damage. The aim of this study was to test if in vivo copper excess induces DNA damage measured by comet and micronucleus assays in the presence of curcumin.

Elimination of epimural microflora from guinea pig cecal epithelium by antimicrobial drugs.

The effect of antimicrobial drugs on epimural bacteria of guinea pig cecum was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Metronidazole (500 hg/ml), neomycin (50 hg/ml) or both combined were given orally in drinking water ad libitum for five consecutive days, and representative fragments of cecum were processed for analysis. In untreated animals large areas of mucosa were lined by spiral-shaped bacteria were eliminated by treatment with neomycin, only remaining fusiform bacteria at openings of crypts.