Investigation of DNA Turn-Over enzyme activities in rat tissues treated with n-nitrosodiethylamine: The effect of ellagic acid

N-Nitrosodiethylamine(NDEA) is a potent carcinogenic dialkyl nitrosamine used to induce liver cancer in animal models. Ellagic Acid (EA), a polyphenol found in berries, grapes and nuts, exhibits important health promoting effects via its antioxidant, antiproliferative, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, antibacterial activities. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of NDEA on DNA turn-over enzyme activities in NDEA treated rat liver tissues and proflactic/therapeutic effects of EA in these rat liver tissues.30 female wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups randomely. 1) Control (C), 2) NDEA alone, 3) EA alone, 4) NDEA+EA simultaneously (S), 5) Prophylactic EA+NDEA (P). A single dose of 200mg/kg NDEA was administered i.p to the rats. Also, EA was administered every other day dose of 25mg/kg via gavage. DNA turn-over enzyme activities were measured in rat liver tissues spectrophotometrically. Liver function tests were analysed in serum by Abbott Architect Ci 16200. Additionally rat liver tissues were analysed histopathologically.There were alterations in liver function tests, but no statistically significant differences were determined between the groups. ADA activities were significantly elevated in NDEA, S and P groups compared to controls (p<0.05, p<0.006, p<0.004, respectively). There were no significant differerences in GUA and 5?NT activities between the groups, XO activities were significantly increased in NDEA group compared to other groups. (p< 0.05) Histopathological analyses revealed that there were cystical dilatations around central vein, intrastoplasmic biliary pigment increase and sinusoidal dilatation in the NDEA group. There were no histopathological alterations in other groups.As a result, new long term studies have to be planned to reveal whether EA has chemopreventive effects and to determine the mechanisms of action of EA in NDEA treatment.