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High intensity-sweeteners (HIS) are natural or synthetic substances, sweeter than sugar, providing sweetness without calories. Sweeteners are mainly used as an aid in losing weight, preventing obesity and controlling blood sugar levels for diabetics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of the sweeteners aspartame, sucralose, sodium saccharin and steviol glycoside, using the test for detection of epithelial tumor clones in Drosophila melanogaster . Larvae of 72 ± 4h, obtained from wts /TM3 female mated with mwh / mwh males, were treated for approximately 48h with different concentrations of aspartame (0.85, 1.7, 3.4, 6.8 or 13.6 mM ); sucralose (0.5, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 or 10 mM); sodium saccharin (25; 50; 100; 200 or 400 mM) and steviol glycoside (2.5; 5.0; 10; 20 or 40 mM). Water (Reverse Osmosis) and doxorubicin (DXR 0.4 mM) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed (p > 0.05) in tumor frequencies in individuals treated with all concentrations of these sweeteners when compared to negative control. It was therefore concluded that, in these experimental conditions, aspartame, sucralose, sodium saccharin and steviol glycoside have no carcinogenic effect in D. melanogaster . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D3 (VD3) deficiency increases DNA damage, while supplementation may exert a pro-oxidant activity, prevent viral infections and formation of tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of VD3 alone or in combination with doxorubicin (DXR) using the Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test and the Epithelial Tumor Test, both in Drosophila melanogaster. For better understanding of the molecular interactions of VD3 and receptors, in silico analysis were performed with molecular docking associated with molecular dynamics. Findings revealed that VD3 alone did not increase the frequency of mutant spots, but reduced the frequency of mutant spots when co-administered with DXR. In addition, VD3 did not alter the recombinogenic effect of DXR in both ST and HB crosses. VD3 alone did not increase the total frequency of tumor, but significantly reduced the total frequency of tumor when co-administered with DXR. Molecular modeling and molecular dynamics between calcitriol and Ecdysone Receptor (EcR) showed a stable interaction, indicating the possibility of signal transduction between VD3 and EcR. In conclusion, under these experimental conditions, VD3 has modulatory effects on the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity induced by DXR in somatic cells of D. melanogaster and exhibited satisfactory interactions with the EcR. • VD3 was not toxic, mutagenic neither carcinogenic to Drosophila melanogaster. • VD3 has modulatory effects on the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity induced by DXR in Drosophila. • VD3 revealed a modulatory effect without altering the recombinogenic activity of DXR. • VD3 showed satisfactory interactions with the Ecdysone Receptor (EcR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metformin (MET) is an anti-diabetic drug used to prevent hepatic glucose release and increase tissue insulin sensitivity. Diabetic cancer patients are on additional therapy with anticancer drugs. Doxorubicin (DXR) is a cancer chemotherapeutic agent that interferes with the topoisomerase II enzyme and generates free radicals. MET (2.5, 5, 10, 25 or 50 mM) alone was examined for mutagenicity, recombinogenicity and carcinogenicity, and combined with DXR (0.4 mM) for antimutagenicity, antirecombinogenicity and anticarcinogenicity, using the Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test and the Test for Detecting Epithelial Tumor Clones in Drosophila melanogaster. MET alone did not induce mutation or recombination. Modulating effects of MET on DXR-induced DNA damage were observed at the highest concentrations. In the evaluation of carcinogenesis, MET alone did not induce tumors. When combined with DXR, MET also reduced the DXR-induced tumors at the highest concentrations. Therefore, in the present experimental conditions, MET alone did not present mutagenic/recombinogenic/carcinogenic effects, but it was able to modulate the effect of DXR in the induction of DNA damage and of tumors in D. melanogaster. It is believed that this modulating effect is mainly related to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and apoptotic effects of this drug, although such effects have not been directly evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betulinic acid (BA) is a pentacyclic triterpenoid found in several plant species. Urethane (URE) is a known promutagen. Here, we examine the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of BA alone or in combination with URE using the bone marrow micronucleus assay in mice bone marrow cells and the Somatic Mutation and Recombination Test in Drosophila melanogaster. Findings revealed that BA alone was not genotoxic, but reduced the frequency of micronucleus when compared to the positive control. No significant differences were observed in the cytotoxicity. Biochemical analyzes showed no significant differences for liver (AST and ALT) or renal (creatinine and urea) function parameters, indicating the absence of hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects. BA alone did not increase the frequency of mutant spots, but reduced the total frequency of mutant spots when co-administered with URE in both ST and HB crosses. In addition, BA reduced the recombinogenic effect of URE at the highest concentrations of both crosses. In conclusion, under experimental conditions, BA has modulatory effects on the genotoxicity induced by URE in mice, as well as in somatic cells of D. melanogaster. We suggest that the modulatory effects of BA may be mainly due to its antioxidant and apoptotic properties. • BA was not toxic neither genotoxic to mice. • BA has modulatory effects on the genotoxicity induced by URE in mice. • BA was not toxic neither mutagenic to D. melanogaster. • BA has modulatory effects on the mutagenicity induced by URE in somatic cells of Drosophila. • Modulatory effects of BA may be due to its antioxidant and apoptotic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]