In vivo antigenotoxic effects of dietary agents and beverages co-administered with urethane: assessment of the role of glutathione S-transferase activity.

Antigenotoxic effects and changes in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity were assessed in mice after oral co-administration of urethane (URE) with aqueous extracts of dietary vegetables (carrot, spinach and cabbage), spices (cinnamon, pepper, cumin, clove and cardamom), tea and coffee. The results of the genotoxicity assay (micronucleus test) demonstrated dose-related antigenotoxic effects after URE was co-administered with aqueous extracts of vegetables, spices, tea and coffee. Inhibition of GST activity was observed 4 h after treatment with URE alone. Co-administration of URE with extracts of vegetables, coffee and spices resulted in dose-related attenuation of the inhibitory effect of URE on GST activity. However, tea had no effect on inhibition of GST activity by URE. Hence an association between antigenotoxicity and GST activity could not be established. Copyright 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.