chemical mutagenesis

The interaction of certain environmental chemical compounds and

cell metabolism may result in genetic changes in DNA structure,
affecting one or more genes. These
chemicalinduced mutations are known as chemical mutagenesis.
Many cancers and other degenerative diseases result from acquired
genetic mutations due to environmental exposure, and not as an
outcome of inherited traits. Chemicals capable of inducing genetic
mutation (i.e., chemical mutagenes or genotoxic compounds) are
present in both natural and man-made environments and products.
Many plants, including edible ones, produce discreet amounts of
some toxic compound that plays a role in plant protection against
some natural predator. Some of these natural compounds may also
be genotoxic for humans and animals, when that plant is consumed
frequently and in great amounts. For instance, most edible
mushrooms contain a family of chemical mutagenes known as
hydrazines; but once mushrooms are cooked, most hydrazines
evaporate or are degraded into less toxic compounds.
Humans are exposed to many physical or chemical genotoxic agents that can increase the probability of
mutation. On the other hand, there are possible ways to prevent this effect. 

Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants.

Main articles: Antimutagen and Antioxidants
Antioxidants are an important group of anticarcinogenic compounds that may help remove ROS or
potentially harmful chemicals. These may be found naturally in fruits and vegetables.[38] Examples of
antioxidants are vitamin A and its carotenoid precursors, vitamin C, vitamin E, polyphenols, and
various other compounds. β-Carotene is the red-orange colored compounds found in vegetables
like carrots and tomatoes. Vitamin C may prevent some cancers by inhibiting the formation of
mutagenic N-nitroso compounds (nitrosamine). Flavonoids, such as EGCG in green tea, have also
been shown to be effective antioxidants and may have anti-cancer properties. Epidemiological
studies indicate that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with lower incidence of some
cancers and longer life expectancy,[39]however, the effectiveness of antioxidant supplements in
cancer prevention in general is still the subject of some debate. [39][40]
Other chemicals may reduce mutagenesis or prevent cancer via other mechanisms, although for
some the precise mechanism for their protective property may not be certain. Selenium, which is
present as a micronutrient in vegetables, is a component of important antioxidant enzymes such as
gluthathione peroxidase. Many phytonutrients may counter the effect of mutagens; for
example, sulforaphane in vegetables such as broccoli has been shown to be protective
against prostate cancer.[41] Others that may be effective against cancer include indole-3-
carbinol from cruciferous vegetables and resveratrol from red wine.[42]
An effective precautionary measure an individual can undertake to protect themselves is by limiting
exposure to mutagens such as UV radiations and tobacco smoke. In Australia, where people with
pale skin are often exposed to strong sunlight, melanoma is the most common cancer diagnosed in
people aged 15–44 years.[43][44]
In 1981, human epidemiological analysis by Richard Doll and Richard Peto indicated that smoking
caused 30% of cancers in the US.[45] Diet is also thought to cause a significant number of cancer, and
it has been estimated that around 32% of cancer deaths may be avoidable by modification to the
diet.[46] Mutagens identified in food include mycotoxins from food contaminated with fungal growths,
such as aflatoxins which may be present in contaminated peanuts and corn; heterocyclic
amines generated in meat when cooked at high temperature; PAHs in charred meat and smoked
fish, as well as in oils, fats, bread, and cereal;[47] and nitrosamines generated from nitrites used as
food preservatives in cured meatsuch as bacon (ascobate, which is added to cured meat, however,
reduces nitrosamine formation).[38] Overly-browned starchy food such as bread, biscuits and potatoes
can generate acrylamide, a chemical shown to cause cancer in animal studies. [48]
[49]
 Excessive alcohol consumption has also been linked to cancer; the possible mechanisms for its
carcinogenicity include formation of the possible mutagen acetaldehyde, and the induction of
the cytochrome P450 system which is known to produce mutagenic compounds from promutagens.
[50]

For certain mutagens, such as dangerous chemicals and radioactive materials, as well as infectious
agents known to cause cancer, government legislations and regulatory bodies are necessary for
their control.[51]

Abstract
Humans are exposed to many physical or chemical genotoxic agents that can increase the
probability of mutation. On the other hand, there are possible ways to prevent this effect. One of
them is to prevent cellular injury by augmenting endogenous oxidative defences through the dietary
intake of antioxidants such as vitamin C or vitamin E. Also olive oil has proved to have potent
antioxidant properties. Several studies have been conducted during the last ten years to demonstrate
the genotoxic effect of these environmental pollutants, and to investigate possible protective effects.
In one of these studies, we investigated the mutagenic effects of two commonly used pyrethroid
pesticides, cypermethrin and fenvalerateon, on bone marrow cells of adult male rats and the possible
protective rôle played by olive oil and vitamin C. Results revealed that cypermethrin and fenvalerate
induced a significant increase in the total number of chromosomal aberrations, and that more were
observed with fenvalerate. Olive oil and vitamin C induced significant improvement of total aberrant
cells at high doses (1/10 LD50). Aflatoxins contaminate many food products and are consequently of
worldwide heath concern. Prevention of exposure to aflatoxins can be achieved either at community
(via good agriculture practices) or individual levels (treatment or dietary interventions). Several trials
were carried out to evaluate the effect of the processing steps of corn products on the destruction of
aflatoxins in popcorn. The results of the trial indicated that the processing of popcorn had a
significant effect on aflatoxin destruction. High temperature of preparation and treatment with 5%
salt (sodium chloride) yielded the highest destruction rate. Several probiotic bacteria are able to bind
aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in vitro, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC-705 and Propionibacterium
freudenreichii subsp. shermanii JS. A mixture of these two probiotics is used by the food and feed
industry as biopreservative (Bioprofit), making it a promising candidate for future applications. A
recent study was carried out to determine whether administration of probiotic bacteria could block
the intestinal absorption of aflatoxin B1. Probiotic administration led to a statistically significant
decrease in the urinary excretion of AFB-N7-guanine. Probiotic supplement reduces the biologically
effective dose of aflatoxin exposure, and may thereby offer an effective dietary approach to prevent
the development of liver cancer. An other example of these studies is that on the radioprotective rôle
of vitamin C and E against gamma radiation-induced depletion in relative testicular weight and
sperm shape abnormalities.

Abstract
Etiological factors for gastric cancer, among others, involve consumption of smoked, salted, and
pickled fish of certain types. Their chemical nature is not yet fully established but probably involves
diazo phenols, and their formation can be prevented either by omitting the salting and pickling
process, or by using vitamins C and E on the food prior to salting, pickling, or smoking. Both
preventive approaches would limit the formation of mutagenic and carcinogenic diazo phenols.
Sugimura and associates discovered new types of mutagens as heterocyclic amines that are formed
during frying or broiling of meats and fish. In rats, these amines induce cancer specifically in organs
such as breast, colon, or pancreas, associated with Western-type nutrition where promotional
elements such as dietary fat play an enhancing role. Thus, inhibition of the formation of these new
carcinogens during cooking would remove the genotoxic components from the diet. Mixing 10% soy
protein with ground meat prior to frying prevents the formation of these mutagens presumably by
affording a lower surface temperature. More effective is the addition of tryptophan, proline, or
mixtures thereof, which specifically blocks the formation of these mutagens/carcinogens, probably by
competing for reactive intermediary aldehydes, so that these cannot interact with the normal
essential target, creatinine. Thus, we have available practical, yet science-based, mechanistically
understood procedures to prevent the formation of carcinogens associated with important types of
cancer prevalent in many countries.