Modulation des lésions de l'ADN par la pentoxifylline et l'alpha-tocophérol dans les fibroblastes de peau exposés aux rayonnements gamma.

Radiation Reasarch, Volume 164, Issue 1, July 2005, Pages 63-72

Previous in vivo studies showed the combination pentoxifylline (PTX) and a-tocopherol was highly efficient in reducing late radiation-induced skin damage. The present work aimed at investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the effects of this combination. Primary cultures of confluent dermal fibroblasts were ?-irradiated in the presence of PTX and trolox (Tx), the water-soluble analogue of a-tocopherol. Drugs were added either before or after radiation exposure and were maintained over time. Their antioxidant capacity and their effect on radiation-induced ROS production was assessed together with cell viability and clonogenicity. DNA damage formation was assessed by the alkaline comet assay and by the micronucleus (MN) test. Cell cycle distribution was also determined. The combination of PTX/ Tx was shown to reduce both immediate and late ROS formation observed in cells after irradiation. Surprisingly, decrease in DNA strand breaks measured by the comet assay was observed any time drugs were added. In addition, the micronucleus test revealed that for cells irradiated with 10 Gy, a late significant increase in MN formation occurred. The combination of PTX/Tx was shown to be antioxidant and to decrease radiation-induced ROS production. The observed effects on DNA damage at any time the drugs were added suggest that PTX/Tx could interfere with the DNA repair process.