Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to use the single cell gel (comet) assay to investigate whether blood, liver, heart, kidney, and brain are particularly sensitive organs for DNA damage in cirrhotic rats to predict genetic instability induced by cirrhosis. METHODS: A total of 16 male Wistar rats (negative control, n = 8; experimental, n = 8) were submitted to bile duct ligation during 28 days. RESULTS: Cirrhosis was able to induce genetic damage in liver and brain cells, as depicted by the mean tail moment. No genetic damage was induced in blood, heart, or kidney cells (i.e., no significant statistically differences were noticed when compared with negative control). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results suggest that cirrhosis could contribute to DNA damage in liver and brain cells.