Protective effects of selenium and vitamin E against DNA damage induced by ultraviolet

  Objective   To investigate the protective effects of selenium and vitamin E against the DNA damage induced by ultraviolet.

  Methods   The human lung fibroblast cells(HLF)were cultured with sodium selenite(8μmol/L)or vitamin E(50μmol/L) for 2 hours and then were exposed to the radiation of ultraviolet(UVB)for 7, 15 and 30 minutes, respectively.Then the single cell gel electrophoresis(SCGE)were used to detect the damage of DNA in HLF cells induced by ultraviolet.

  Results   The damage level of DNA in the control HLF cells was much greater than which pretreated with selenium or vitamin E.

  Conclusion   Ultraviolet can induce DNA damage in HLF cells.And selenium and vitamin E can protect DNA from the breakage induced by ultraviolet, which probably associated with their antioxidant property.