Cytotoxic, genotoxic and modulator evaluation of the anorexigenic diethylpropione in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster: SMART/wing

Abstract

Diethylpropione (DEP) is a free anorexigenic substance widely used in Brazil and abroad for weight loss. It is derived from amphetamines and acts in the central nervous system by the cathecolaminergic mechanism, increasing the release and/or inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine in nerve terminals. In the present study, we investigated the mutagenic, antimutagenic, and cytotoxic potentials of DEP through the use of SMART/wing, a test that uses two genetic markers – mwh e flr3 –, which are manifested phenotypically as mutant trichomes on the wings of Drosophila melanogaster when 68 the cell loses heterozygosity induced by events such as mutation, non-disjunction, recombination, among others. In this test, two crosses are performed, ST and HB, through whichit is possible to evaluate whether the agent tested has direct or indirect genotoxic action, respectively. To assess the cytotoxic potential of this substance, fly larvae in the third stage were treated with ten different doses of DEP. Aiming at determining the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of this compound, we administered the larvae three doses of DEP (15, 22.5, and 30 mg.mL-1) alone and combined with 0.125 mg.mL-1 doxorubicin chloride (DXR), a chemotherapic drug used as positive control. We found the following results: a) DEPshowed cytotoxic potential; b) there was no genotoxicity in ST or HB crosses; c) we observed modulator action of DEP when associated to the doses of 22.5 and 30 mg.mL-1 DXR in ST cross and at the three doses tested in the HB cross.