African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12496

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of mutagenic/antimutagenic activity of conjugated linoleic acid in mice by micronucleus test

Luciano Bruno De Carvalho-Silva1*, Maysa Do Vale Oliveira1, Danielle Taira Konichi1, Mario Roberto Maróstica Junior2, Pablo Christiano Barboza Lollo2  and Jaime Amaya-Farfán2  
1Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG). 2Food and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Food Engineering, State University of Campinas – UNICAMP.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 26 August 2011
  •  Published: 12 October 2011

Abstract

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) are positional and geometrical isomers of linoleic acid and some researchers have shown biological activities including modulation of lipid metabolism, atherogenesis, diabetes, and immune functions. In this study, the animals were supplemented with 2% of the average feed consumption with CLA (G1 = positive control) and safflower oil (G2 = negative control) and the test groups were supplemented with CLA at the concentration of 2 and 4% of the average feed consumption. To assess the CLA potential protective effect, two groups were used; G3 = CLA 2% + cyclophosphamide (CP) and G5 = CLA 4% + CP. To assess the mutagenic effects of CLA, two groups were used; G4 = CLA 2% + NaCl 0.9% and G6 = CLA 4% + NaCl 0.9%. In order to investigate the mutagenic/antimutagenic effects of CLA, micronucleus test was used. The results showed variation of feed consumption in the groups that received 4% of CLA, when compared to the control group (G1 and G2) and  CLA  groups (G3 and G4) (p<0.05), during the period studied. It was observed that CLA did not show mutagenic effect at the concentrations tested (2 and 4%). Also, CLA showed antimutagenic effect at the same concentrations. However, the animals that received 4% of CLA, presented clinical signs of malnutrition.

 

Key words: Conjugated linoleic acid, antimutagenicity, cyclophosphamide.