The effects of tea polyphenols on Hprt gene locus mutation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in mice after ⁶⁰Co γ exposure

Objective: To investigate the effects of tea polyphenols (TP) on Hprt gene locus mutation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in mice after ⁶⁰Co γ-ray exposure. Methods: The mice were divided into control group γ-ray radiation group (1, 2, 4, 8 Gy radiation) and TP + γ-ray group (The mice were given a gavage of TP 725 mg/kg, 145 mg/kg, 29 mg/kg after radiation respectively). Blood was collected from the mice hearts after 14 days and Hprt gene locus mutations were examined by polykaryocytes test. Results: Hprt locus mutation was induced by 0∼8 Gy ⁶⁰Co γ rays. The frequency of Hprt locus mutation was significantly higher than that of the control, which increased linearly with doses and could he represented in a linear model Y= 1.1795 + 0.6135D. The frequency of Hprt locus mutation of TP + γ-ray group was significantly decreased (P < 0.01) compared to the radiation group. Conclusion: TP has protective effects on Hprt mutation induced by ⁶⁰C0 γ-ray. (authors)