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The genotoxin methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) is an alkylating agent that predominantly methylates nitrogen atoms on purines.Its genetic toxicity and underlying mechanism for DNA damage have been studied extensively.However, its effect on cardiovascular system has not been evaluated, even though evidence has been accumulating pointing to the possible adverse cardiovascular effects elicited by genotoxic agents.Therefore, in the present study, we examined the effects of MMS on cardiovascular system in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by measuring its effects on peripheral blood cells, the structure of vascular wall, thoracic aorta tension and blood pressure.It was found that 1 day after MMS (low: 25 mg/kg;high: 60 mg/kg) injection intraperitoneally in SD rats, white blood cells were significantly destructed by both doses, while the red blood cells and platelets were not affected.In addition, the structure of vascular wall, vascular tension and blood pressure were not affected in MMS-treated rats compared with vehicle ones.Similar results were found in SD rats 3 days after MMS treatment.These results suggest that the cytotoxicity of MMS may be responsible for the decrease in white blood cells.Taken together, acute treatment of MMS has no significant effect on the cardiovascular system, which may be partly due to its rapid metabolism in vivo.