Effect of vitamins C and E on toxicity and mutagenicity of hexavalent chromium in rat and guinea pig.

The effect of simultaneous pretreatment with vitamins C and E on the toxicity and mutagenicity of K2Cr2O7 in rats and guinea pigs was evaluated. Dietary pretreatment of Cr(VI)-intoxicated rats with ascorbic acid or alpha-tocopherol normalized vitamin C levels in lungs but not in kidneys. The synergistic preventive effect of both vitamins was confirmed in the production of lipoperoxides in Cr(VI)-intoxicated rats. Simultaneous administration of vitamins C and E in guinea pigs prevented the decrease of vitamin C levels provoked by the oxidative effects of Cr(VI). The results of the micronucleus test in bone marrow showed that it was vitamin C that caused the antimutagenic effect against bichromate, in both rats and guinea pigs. The effect of vitamin E was demonstrated only in an increase of the ratio of NCE to PCE, i.e., in a decrease of the cytotoxic but not the mutagenic effects of hexavalent chromium.