RESUMEN
Tobacco farmers are routinely exposed to complex mixtures of inorganic and organic chemicals present in tobacco leaves. In this study, we examined the genotoxicity of tobacco leaves in the snail Helix aspersa as a measure of the risk to human health. DNA damage was evaluated using the micronucleus test and the Comet assay and the concentration of cytochrome P450 enzymes was estimated. Two groups of snails were studied: one fed on tobacco leaves and one fed on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L) leaves (control group). All of the snails received leaves (tobacco and lettuce leaves were the only food provided) and water ad libitum. Hemolymph cells were collected after 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. The Comet assay and micronucleus test showed that exposure to tobacco leaves for different periods of time caused significant DNA damage. Inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes occurred only in the tobacco group. Chemical analysis indicated the presence of the alkaloid nicotine, coumarins, saponins, flavonoids and various metals. These results show that tobacco leaves are genotoxic in H. aspersa and inhibit cytochrome P450 activity, probably through the action of the complex chemical mixture present in the plant.
RESUMEN
It is now well known that zinc is crucial for the synthesis of nucleic acids and, consequently, for cellular division. However, (67)Zn, the NMR-detectable isotope, is one of the isotopes most poorly studied by NMR. The strategy used for NMR studies is the substitution of Zn by (113)Cd. In this work, we employed (13)C, (113)Cd NMR (CPMAS), X-ray and DFT calculation in order to evaluate the Zn-Cd substitution using 8-hydroxyquinoline like prototype compound. Our results show that there are strong structural and electronics effects are involved in the substitution.
