MODULATORY EFFECTS OF VITAMIN E ON TRICLOSAN-INDUCED GENOTOXIC, CYTOTOXIC AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN SWISS MICE

Humans are daily exposed to triclosan (TCS), a widely used antimicrobial agent that can be found in various hygiene products; however, have not been carefully investigated. Due to its widespread use, TCS has increasingly been a public health concern.

This study aimed to evaluate TCS cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in bone marrow, and biochemical evaluation represented by oxidative stress in liver tissues and to investigate the role of the vitamin E (Vit E) to modulate TCS toxicity.

TCS was injected intraperitoneally at dose level (15 mg/kg) for 2 consecutive days. Other group was orally administrated with Vit E (50 mg/kg) just before TCS injection. Mice were sacrificed after 24 hr from the last treatment. Micronucleus (MN) and chromosomal aberration assays were used as cytogenetic assay. Moreover, biochemical evaluation represented by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl content (PCC), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) levels were measured in liver tissues.

Positive results were recorded regarding the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of TCS as a result of increasing MN number per 1000 polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs), decreasing PCEs/normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs) ratio and increasing the chromosomal aberrations per 50 metaphase bone marrow cells in comparison to negative control. Moreover, TCS increases the lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreases TAC. However, Vit E pretreatment reduced the toxic effect of TCS in all measured study parameters.

In conclusion, we report the toxic effect of TCS and the protective role of Vit E as a result of its antioxidant property to scavenge free radicals.