Ex vivoAssessment of Lymphocyte Antioxidant Status Using the Comet Assay

Abstract
Lymphocytes were isolated from volunteers before and after receiving a single supplement of vitamin C, vitamin E or β-carotene. The lymphocytes were treated with H2O2, and DNA strand breaks were measured by single cell gel electrophoresis (the comet assay). Significant protection against oxidative DNA damage was evident 2–4 h after vitamin C intake, and 18–24 h after consumption of the other antioxidants. Lymphocytes from smokers were more sensitive to DNA damage than those from non-smokers, and they showed at least as great a protective effect with antioxidants.