Mary Diane L. Mellizas, Justine Adriel Zent G. Togonon (April 2015)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
The Sun is a source of energy. This energy includes ultraviolet rays. Oxidation caused by UV rays leads to DNA damage. DNA damage caused by UV rays increases the amount of free radicals significantly. This study was conducted to provide information on oxidation caused by UV exposure. The objective of this study is to determine the effects of ultraviolet light on the amounts of DNA oxidative damage, by measuring and comparing the relative DNA electrophoresis band lengths, in blood samples from UV -exposed Mus musculus at 6, 24, and 48 hours after exposure M. musculus were divided into Treatment UV and Treatment NC (negative control). M. musculus in Treatment UV were exposed to 30 minutes of 365-nm UV light. Blood samples were collected for both treatments at 6, 24, and 48 hours after exposure. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to visualize the DNA bands. DNA bands were viewed under a UV trans-illuminator which measured relative DNA electrophoresis band lengths. The relative band lengths are 8.898±2.569, 8.000±1.000, 7.333±2.309, and 10.333±1.528 for the control and UV exposed M. musculus at 6, 24, and 48 hours after exposure, respectively. Using statistical tools, it was determined that the relative DNA band lengths are comparable. It can be concluded that the amount of DNA oxidative damage in blood is not affected by exposure to UV light. Also, the amount of DNA oxidative damage is not affected by the amount of time after UV exposure.