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. DNA damage in PBMNC by the vitamin complex was detected by the micronucleus technique. Statistical analyses were made with the Student's 't' test and the Pearson correlation. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The vitamin complex induced MN formation in PBMNC but did not augment ROS production. There was no correlation between ROS production and MN formation either in the presence or in the absence of the vitamin complex.

Discussion: There was no increase in the ROS production in the presence of the vitamin complex. The vitamin complex induced an augmentation in the MN formation. There was no correlation between ROS production and the induction of MN formation. Since no association could be detected between ROS production and MN formation, additional studies are required in order to investigate the possible mechanism of vitamin-induced MN formation.