L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and glutathione protect Xenopus laevis embryos against acrylamide-induced malformations and mortality in the frog embryo teratogenesis assay.

Dietary acrylamide is largely derived from heat-induced reactions between the amino group of the free amino acid asparagine and carbonyl groups of glucose and fructose during heat processing (baking, frying) of plant-derived foods such as potato fries and cereals. After consumption, acrylamide is absorbed into the circulation and is then distributed to various organs, where it can react with DNA, neurons, hemoglobin, and essential enzymes. In the present study, we explored the potential of L-cysteine (CySH), N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), and the amino acid glycine (Gly) to protect frog embryos against acrylamide-induced developmental toxicity in the frog embryo teratogenesis assay - Xenopus (FETAX). To test the antiteratogenic potential, based on concentration-response study ranging from 0.07 to 4.22 mM acrylamide in FETAX solution (pH 8.1), we selected concentrations of acrylamide that induced 100% malformations and mortality. At the end of 96 h, we counted survivors and malformed embryos and measured embryo length. The data show that CySH, NAC, and GSH protected the embryos against acrylamide induced malformations and mortality to different degrees. CySH and GSH protected the embryos against both malformations and mortality, whereas NAC protected only against mortality. Gly had no protective effect. Possible mechanisms of the protective effects and the dietary significance of the results of this and related studies for food safety and human health are discussed.