Medical/biological study (observational study)

The effect of vitamin E and C on comet assay indices and apoptosis in power plant workers: A double blind randomized controlled clinical trial med./bio.

By: Bagheri Hosseinabadi M, Khanjani N, Atashi A, Norouzi P, Mirbadie SR, Mirzaii M

Published in: Mutat Res Genet Toxicol Environ Mutagen 2020; 850–851: 503150

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The effects of an administration of vitamin C and vitamin E on genotoxicity in blood cells from power plant workers should be investigated.

Background/further details

A total of 81 employees from different parts of a thermal power plant were divided into the following groups: 1) vitamin E administration (400 units/day) (n=20), 2) vitamin C administration (1000 mg/day) (n=21), 3) vitamin E + C administration (n=21), 4) control group (sham administration) (n=19). All participants received their administrations for 3 months, before and afterwards blood samples were collected.

Endpoint

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage and apoptosis in blood cells

Exposure

- occupational

Exposure	Parameters
Exposure 1: LF (< 10 MHz) Exposure duration: at least 2 years job experience before beginning of intervention, 3 months in a full time job during intervention	magnetic flux density: 16.5 µT mean (± 6.46 µT) electric field strength: 22.5 V/m mean (± 5.38 V/m)

Exposure 1

Main characteristics

Frequency	LF (< 10 MHz)
Type	electric field magnetic field
Exposure duration	at least 2 years job experience before beginning of intervention, 3 months in a full time job during intervention

Exposure setup

Exposure source	different work places in a power plant
Setup	participants included technicians, operators, engineers and office workers from the power plant

Parameters

Measurand	Value	Type	Method	Mass	Remarks
magnetic flux density	16.5 µT	mean	measured	-	± 6.46 µT
electric field strength	22.5 V/m	mean	measured	-	± 5.38 V/m

Measurement and calculation details

field strengths calculated from spot measurements

Reference articles

Cam ST et al. (2011): Occupational exposure to magnetic fields from transformer stations and electric enclosures in Turkey

Exposed system:

human

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

genotoxicity/mutation: DNA damage (single-strand breaks and double-strand breaks (tail intensity, tail length, tail DNA, tail factor, damage index); alkaline comet assay), apoptosis (early apoptosis, late apoptosis, necrosis; annexin V and FITC stain, flow cytometry) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
general symptoms during the intervention (twice a week, questionnaire)

Investigated system:

intact cell/cell culture
DNA/RNA
investigation on living organism

Investigated organ system:

human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Time of investigation:

after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

Some comet assay parameters were significantly decreased in the vitamin E group (group 1), vitamin C group (group 2) and vitamin E+C group (groups 3) after the treatment period compared to before (remark EMF-Portal: the exact parameters are presented ambiguously in the article). No significant differences were found in the control group (group 4). None of the apoptosis parameters showed any significant changes in any group. (remark EMF-Portal: no results are shown for the general symptoms.)
The authors concluded that an administration of vitamin C and vitamin E might protect blood cells from power plant workers against genotoxic effects.

Study character:

medical/biological study
observational study
pilot/exploratory/preliminary study
intervention study
double-blind study

Study funded by

Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Iran

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