Studies of antimutagenic effects of vitamins A and C in humans.

We studied antimutagenic effects of vitamins A and C (in recommended daily doses for 30 days) and their effects on the kinetics of human buccal epitheliocytes. Buccal swab specimens were collected in 29 students before and after vitamin course. The cytogenetic parameters (cells with micronuclei and protrusions) and parameters of proliferation (binuclear cells and cells with double nuclei) and nucleus destruction (karyopyknosis, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, etc.) were analyzed. The levels of cells with micronuclei and total level of cytogenetic disorders decreased by 38% after vitamin course, which confirmed their antimutagenic effect. A slight increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells seemed to reflect more active process of elimination of genetically damaged cells.