Protective effect of vitamin E against chromosomal aberrations and mutation induced by sodium chromate in Chinese hamster V79 cells.

The effect of vitamin E on chromosomal aberrations and mutation caused by Na2CrO4 was investigated in Chinese hamster V79 cells. Pretreatment with 25 microM alpha-tocopherol succinate (vitamin E) for 24 h prior to chromate exposure (2.5-5 microM) resulted in a decrease of metal-induced chromosomal aberrations. Na2CrO4 (2.5-7.5 microM) induced mutations at the HGPRT locus, but only within a very limited concentration range. This mutagenic response could also be suppressed by pretreatment with vitamin E. These results suggest that vitamin E can protect cells from the clastogenic and mutagenic action of chromate compounds, possibly through its ability to scavenge chromium(V) and/or free radicals.