Modulatory Effect of Vitamin C on Genotoxic Effect of Endosulfan in Developing Albino Rats

The genotoxic effect of endosulfan and the modulatory effect of vitamin C in growing albino rats were studied by bone marrow micronucleus assay. Seven days old male Wistar rats were treated with 3, 6, 9, 12mg/kg Endosulfan orally (10 pups/group),for up to 60 days, at intervals of 24h. For 2 more groups (n=10/group), Endosulfan 9mg/kg and 12mg/kg was administered along with vitamin C (20mg/kg). One more group of rats were treated with cyclophosphamide as positive control. The genotoxic effect was studied by bone marrow micronuclei assay.There was an increase in micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) and a decrease in PCE and P/N ratio in endosulfan treated rats. The effect was similar to the standard mutagen cyclophosphamide. In rats treated with vitamin C and endosulfan, there was an increase in PCE and P/N ratio and decrease in micronuclei in PCE and NCE. This could be due to the antimutagenic effect of vitamin C. Increase in micronuclei in endosulfan treated rats showed genotoxic effect of endosulfan. Decrease in micronuclei in animals treated with both endosulfan and vitamin C, showed antimutagenic effect of vitamin C.